Scope and Contents

Approximately 45 linear feet of artifacts from the SS Pioneer Commander, which was laid down as the SS American Commander for the United States Lines in 1962 as a cargo ship and was involved with the evacuation of American and South Vietnamese personnel from Da Nang and Cam Ranh Bay in 1975.

Biographical / Historical

The SS Pioneer Commander was laid down as the SS American Commander for the United States Lines in 1962 as a cargo ship. It was renamed the SS Pioneer Commander in 1967 and was involved with the evacuation of American and South Vietnamese personnel from Da Nang and Cam Ranh Bay in 1975. It was transferred to the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) in 1981 as part of the Ready Reserve Fleet in Beaumont, Texas. The ship was then downgraded to reserve under review for disposal in 2001.