USS Cebu (ARG-6)

The USS Cebu (ARG-6) was a Luzon-class internal combustion engine repair ship in the service of the United States Navy in World War II. Named after Cebu, an island in the Philippines, it was the second ship of the Navy to bear this name.

Cebu was laid down 21 September 1943 as Liberty ship SS Francis P. Duffy (MCE hull 1805) by Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland, under a Maritime Commission contract; launched 18 October 1943; sponsored by Mrs. M. C. Bird; acquired by the Navy 27 October 1943 and commissioned 15 April 1944, Captain G. W. Scott in command.

Cebu's special mission was providing shops and trained men for the repair of internal combustion engines, but through the course of the war, her men performed a variety of tasks, ranging from the repairing of ship's clocks to major work on battleships. She arrived at Manus in the Admiralty Islands 10 September 1944. At this fleet base, she prepared small craft and larger ships for their role in the Philippine operations, working many times around the clock in order to insure the readiness of ships vital to the invasion assaults.

At Manus on 10 November 1944, Cebu was anchored only 800 yards from USS Mount Hood (AE-11) when the ammunition ship exploded, showering Cebu's decks with bomb fragments and heavy projectiles. Five of her men were killed and six wounded, but quick work prevented serious damage to the ship itself. She was able to continue her work without interruption, preparing ships for the Lingayen and Iwo Jima assaults.

Cebu was stationed at Ulithi from 22 January 1945 to 12 February when she sailed for San Pedro Bay. Her work continued at a furious rate as victims of suicide attacks required immediate repairs. Her services to small craft at Cebu Island continued until 21 September, when she sailed for occupation duties at Okinawa and Japan until 11 March 1946.

Cebu prepared at Pearl Harbor from 29 March 1946 to 11 May for her role supporting the atomic tests of Operation Crossroads at Bikini and Kwajalein in the summer of 1946. She arrived at San Diego 28 September, and was placed out of commission in reserve at Norfolk (Newport News), Virginia, 30 June 1947. Cebu was scrapped in 1973.

Cebu received one battle star for World War II service.