USS Etamin (AK-93)

USS Etamin (AK-93) was a Crater-class cargo ship constructed for the U.S. Navy for duty in World War II, named after Etamin, the other name of Eltanin, the star in constellation Draco. She served the military in the Pacific Ocean by providing food and material until she was torpedoed and put out of service. After repairs, she served as a non-self-propelled floating warehouse for the rest of the war.

Etamin (AK-93), formerly SS Isaac Babbitt, was acquired by the Navy on 8 May 1943, and commissioned with a U.S. Coast Guard crew on 25 May of that year, Lieutenant Commander G. W. Stedman, Jr., USCGR, in command.

Supporting the NTS at the 12th Naval District
She was assigned to the Naval Transportation Service, 12th Naval District with operational control given to Commander, 7th Fleet Service Force. She was active in the southwest Pacific Ocean issuing stores to the fleet and making minor repairs.

Struck by a torpedo and disabled
Etamin was disabled by a torpedo hit in Milne Bay on 27 April 1944. She was towed to Cairns, Australia, and decommissioned on 26 June 1944.

Reactivated as IX-173
Etamin, no longer self-propelled because of the torpedo damage, was placed in service as IX-173 on 12 August 1944 and continued while under tow to issue stores to the fleet. She was placed out of service on 9 July 1946 and stricken from the Navy List on 31 July.

Military awards and honors
Etamin received two battle stars for World War II service.