USS Neosho AO-143

1958, September, NEOSHO participated in "Operation Argus" where US Navy Task Force 88 conducted three High-Altitude Nuclear Explosions.

TG 88.3 - Mobile Logistics Group, consisted of: - USS Neosho (AO-143), equipped with USAF MSQ-1 radar and communication vans, - USS Salamonie (AO-26), - assigned destroyers; - the commanding officer of the Neosho was the Group Commander;

Many tests were conducted across the next month in preparation for another Mediterranean Cruise beginning on September 8. The first exercise would be a North Atlantic Nato Exercise "Peace Keeper" and then on to a six month deployment with the U.S. Sixth Fleet. Ships leaving with her were the USS Sampson (DDG 10), USS Johnston (DD 821), USS Mc Card (DD 822) and the USS Semmes (DDG 18). USS Stickell (DD 888) and USS Waldron (DD 699) joined the formation on the 10th of September and Commander Second Fleet, embarked in the USS Newport News (CA 148) assumed duties as SOPA. USS Neosho (AO 143) provided fuel services.

The cruise had been perfect until 16-17 September when the Atlantic reared it's ugly head sending one of it's infamous storms down the formation. The storm scattered the formation and opened a hole in Cone's main decks allowing water to pour into the after living compartment on every roll the ship took. The hole was patched early morning of 17 September, the day when "Peace Keeper" began. Finally the storm subsided and Cone returned to the exercise area on 19 September after having been driven far to the south.

1962, 2 October; USS Ashland (LSD-1) Set Refueling and Replenishment Detail. Received 260,526 gallons of NSFO from USS NEOSHO (AO-143). HEITKEMPER, W.L., BM1, received an avulsion on right hand and puncture of the right eyelid; not due to own misconduct. 1230 Sighted Punta Del Sabinal Light bearing 012, range 13 miles.

1962, (24 October-22November): participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis

(all received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal):

1965, 29 August, Gemini 5 made retrofire on revolution 120 (one revolution early due to a threatening tropical storm near the landing area) at 7:27:42 a.m. EST on . Splashdown occurred at 7:55:13 in the western Atlantic at 29.73 N, 69.75 W after a total mission time of 190:55:14. Splashdown was 169 km short of the target due to a ground-based computer program error. The crew arrived onboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lake Champlain at 9:26 and the spacecraft was recovered at 11:50. USS Neosho AO-143 was there in support of the task force.

1973, 29 May USS NEWPORT NEWS steamed south for LANTREDEX 3-73 and port visits in Roosevelt Roads and San Juan, Puerto Rico and New York City. Damage control drills and General Quarters were held during the transit and USS NEWPORT NEWS refueled from USS NEOSHO (AO 143) on the 31st.

1977, 10 June; USS America CV-66 sailed from Hampton Roads for a five-week South Atlantic deployment as a unit of TG 20.4. Other ships in company included USS South Carolina (CGN-37), USS Claude V. Ricketts (DLG-5), USS Dupont (DD- 941 ), and USS Neosho (AO-143).

1981, 1 June;USS NITRO is badly damaged by a fire in the machinery room while en route to Athens, Greece. NITRO is taken under tow the next day by USNS NEOSHO (T-AO 143) for Souda Bay. 60 nautical miles northeast of Souda Bay, Greece

1985, 8 July; Arthur Radford - DD-968, Stopping for fuel at Mina Raysut, Oman, on 8 July 1985, Arthur W. Radford transited the Strait of Bab el Mandeb in company with Antrim on 10 July, and the two warships conducted freedom of navigation operations off the coast of the Democratic People's Republic of Yemen on the 11th. The destroyer transited the Suez Canal on the 14th, and replenished from the oiler USNS Neosho (T-AO-143) that same day. Fueling from USNS Truckee (T-AO-144) the following day, Arthur W. Radford conducted a port visit to Benidorm, Spain, from 20 to 23 July before reaching Rota on the 24th. Proceeding thence with Antrim, Barney, and Charles F. Adams, the destroyer sailed for Norfolk on 24 July. After visiting Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, and Bermuda, en route, Arthur W. Radford reached her

on 5 August 1985.

1988, 29 November; USS WISCONSIN left for operations around Puerto Rico conducting her first underway replenishment in more than 30 years. Refuels USS ANTRIM (FFG20) being rearmed from USS NITRO (AE 23) and being refueled from USNS NEOSHO (AO 143

2005, Neosho is sold for $1.00 to International Shipbreaking Limited, Brownsville, TX