The USS Valcour (AVP-55) was the last of the Barnegat-class seaplane tenders, commissioned in 1946 after launching in 1943. She was later reclassified as AGF-1. Initially assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, the vessel supported seaplane operations until 1949. In 1951, she underwent significant upgrades, enhancing crew habitability and removing her 5-inch gun mount, giving her a distinctive silhouette. The ship's heroic actions during her 1953 Middle East cruise earned her the Battle Readiness and Excellence Plaque, as well as the Navy "E" award for her role in aiding a damaged cargo ship and rescuing personnel from a burning tanker. In 1966, the seaplane tender was reclassified AGF-1 and became the permanent flagship for Commander, Middle East Force (ComMidEastFor), serving as a command post, living facility, and communications center. From 1966 to 1971, the ship assisted in humanitarian efforts in the Middle East. She was decommissioned and stricken from the Register in 1973. Shipyard workers and Navy personnel who were exposed to asbestos during their service may qualify for compensation through asbestos trust funds and the VA if diagnosed with diseases stemming from their in-service asbestos exposure.
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