The USS Mississinewa (AO-144) was a Neosho-class fleet oiler laid down in 1953, launched in 1954, and commissioned in 1955. Designed to provide fuel, food, stores, and mail services rapidly and for sustained periods to ships at sea, the oiler largely operated along the Eastern seaboard, with a short Mediterranean deployment in 1956. She spent nearly a decade in the Mediterranean, supporting the Sixth Fleet: provided logistical support during the Suez Crisis between 1956 and early 1957; supported fleet operations during the Lebanese crisis in 1958 by refueling more than 200 ships. From 1962 to 1964, her services became even more important after she was designated the flagship of the Commander Service Force, Sixth Fleet. The vessel was significantly upgraded during regular overhauls, including in 1957, when a helicopter landing pad was installed, and a helicopter was assigned to the ship to support vertical replenishment operations. She then continued to operate in the western Atlantic, participated in regular Mediterranean deployments, and in NATO exercises. The USS Mississinewa was decommissioned in 1976 and struck from the Register in 1994. Fleet oilers and tankers were among the Navy’s most asbestos-contaminated ships despite their vital roles, exposing personnel to the risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos dust.
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