USS Vulcan (AR-5)-- Part 4: To the Mediterranean Sea and Invasion of Southern France

After repairs at Hampton Roads, Virginia, in June 1943, the ship was ordered to the Mediterranean Sea where it arrived in Oran, Algeria, June 27.  Then shifted to Algiers where it sent a fire and rescue crew to the burning British ammunition ship Arrow.  Three of her sailors pulled up alongside it and cut a hole in the side of its hull to rescue sailors trapped inside.

For their bravery and resourcefulness, they received decorations from the British government and Navy and Marine medals from the U.S. military.

I looked up the ammunition ship Arrow and found a discrepancy in the story.

The ship remained at her post in North Africa during the summer of 1944  In August and September, the Vulcan supported the invasion of southern France and received her sole battle star for providing repair services to ships involved in it.

--GreGen