Fleet repair ships are named for mythological characters, the U.S.S. HECTOR being named for the man reputed to have been Troy's greatest leader.  The U.S.S. HECTOR is 530 feet long with a 73 foot beam and has a displacement of 16,200 tons.  Her armament consists of four 5"-38 caliber dual purpose guns, four twin-mount 40 mm and twenty-three 20 mm machine guns.  The HECTOR has a complement of 34 officers, 68 chief petty officers, and 870 enlisted men of other ratings.

  Repair facilities of the Repair Department consist of four divisions, corresponding to the four major types of repairs as indicated in the following list of shops and services:
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  Mrs. Schuyler F. Heim, wife of Captain S.F. Heim, U.S. Navy, christened the HECTOR when it was launched by the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation on 11 November 1942.

  The HECTOR was commissioned at San Pedro, California, on 7 February 1944 by Captain Schuyler F. Heim, U.S.N., Commandant, Naval Operating Base, Terminal Island, California, who placed Commander Joseph Wayland Long, U.S. Navy in command.

  Since commissioning, the HECTOR has had two commanding officers and two executive officers.  Lieutenant Commander Roland E. Moore, U.S.N., this vessel's first Repair Officer, relieved Commander Long of command of the HECTOR on 17 July 1945.

  Listed below in chronological order are all major movements and activities of the U.S.S. Hector from date of commissioning to 20 September 1945.

  7 February 1944 to 8 March.  Moored to dock at Berth 90, San Pedro, California, loading stores, spare parts and provisions, and get underway at various times in the San Pedro Operating Area carrying out shakedown operations.  Degaussing and direction finder calibration, compensation of magnetic compasses, structural test firing, and speed trials were completed during this period.  Ship operated under Commander Operational Training Command, Pacific Fleet.

   8 to 20 March.  In Drydock No. 1, Naval Operating Base, Terminal Island, California, for final work by builders and cleaning and painting of bottom.

   21 March to 3 April.  During this period shakedown operations were completed.  Anti-aircraft and surface gunnery practices were fired.  Commander W.W. Feineman, U.S.N., conducted a military inspection of the ship and crew during the afternoon on 27 March.

  3 to 9 April.  Underway for Pearl Harbor.  Moored in Berth X-6, Pear Harbor, at 1421, 9 April.

  10 April.  The Captain reported to Commander Service Force, Pacific Fleet, and the ship was assigned to Service Squadron TWO.

  11 April to 30 May.  Moored in Pear Harbor effecting repairs to vessels assigned by Commander Service Force.

  1 to 4 June.  Moored in Pear Harbor loading and making preparations for getting underway.  Navy Yard applied coat of camouflage to ship during this period.

  5 to 13 June.  Underway on 5 june for Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, effecting routine repairs and repairing battle damage to vessels assigned by Commander Service Squadron TEN.

  On 23 June at 1400, the U.S.S. SARNAC (AO-74) was received alongside for repair of battle damage.  The U.S.S. SARNAC received a bomb hit, estimated 250 lbs., exploding as best estimated in the sick bay, causing damage to all areas within a radius of 40 feet.  Force of the explosion penetrated the engine room, disabling power plant, causing the ship to be dead in the water.  Large areas of the main deck and superstructure decks were blown away, exposing the interior of the engine room.  The repairs were commenced by HECTOR personnel with the view in mind of completing the repairs.  However, after the repair work was well underway, the SARNAC received order to return to the rear areas for complete repairs.  The HECTOR then proceeded to accomplish repairs on the vessel's power plant, so the ship could prodeed under her own power.  Temporary bulkheads were installed in all damaged areas, providing the engine room with necessary air tightness and making all other spaces in damaged areas tight and weatherproof.  Vessel proceeded to rear area under own power.

  U.S.S. CALIFORNIA (BB-44) was received alongside 30 June to 3 July 1944, for regunning of #3, 5 inch 38 caliber mount.  Mount received damage in battle which put both barrels out of commission and did other minor damage to mount.  The barrels were replaced by spares from HECTOR and all other damages were repaired to put mount back in full operating condition.
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  U.S.S. TENNESSEE (BB-43) was received alongside 12 July to 15 July 1944, for battle damage repairs received from shell hit into superstructure aft.  During this time 29 other repair jobs of all natures were accepted and completed prior to ships departure from alongside.

  From 13 August 1944 to 24 August 1944, the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12) received catapult repairs.  The catapult ram was pulled out and the piston head and new rings were installed in order that the catapult could be put in operation.  This job required complete disassembly of the large wire cable carrying wheels or sheaves in order that sufficient space would be available for pulling the long ram out of its cylinder.

  30 September to 5 October.  Underway for Ulithi Atoll, Westeren Caroline Islands in Task Unit 57.4.8, composed of U.S.S. HECTOR and U.S.S. WHITMAN as escort.  Arrived at Ulithi Atoll at 1105, 5 October.

  On 10 October 1944 and through 7 December 1944, the HECTOR salvaged the L.C.T. 1052.  The L.C.T. 1052 was sunk by a typhoon in Ulithi Harbor, the HECTOR's diving squad patched leaks, sealed tanks and by using compressed air made the vessel bouyant enough to be towed by the HECTOR.  By attaching our anchor chain to the L.C.T.'s stern we were able to raise the ship to a point where it was only slightly awash, the U.S.S. ENOREE (AO-69) was then brought alongside and through the use of her special hoisting device the L.C.T. 1052 was raised clear of the water, made watertight and refloated.  The HECTOR then slavaged, repaired and replaced all equipment and placed the vessel back in operational status.

  On 27 October 1944, the U.S.S. HOUSTON (CL-81) was received alongside for repair of battle damage.  The Houston had received two torpedo hits; the first on the starboard side into the forward engine room; the second on the starboard side aft into the aircraft hanger.  Repair work was carried on board the HOUSTON until 14 December, during which time much work was accomplished.  Work done included installation of 2,080 feet of "T" bar on main, 2nd, and upper decks; pumping out and rendering water-tight the evaporator room, machine shop, ship's service compartment, forward fire room and after engine room.  Restoration of steering control to bridge.  Installation of strengthening members and plating at after torpedo hit and salvage of equipment.

  At 0550, 20 November, the U.S.S. MISSISSINEWA (AO-59), having been torpedoed by an enemy submarine, was observed to explode and burn.  The ship sunk about 0930.  The MISSISSINEWA was anchored about midway between the Northen and Southern Anchorages.  Submarine contacts were made in the harbor and anti-submarine operations were conducted by ships assigned.  The HECTOR was in condition one from 0558 until 1417.

  The U.S.S. SAN JACINTO (CVL-30) was moored alongside to port from 1000, 22 December until 2057, 27 December for major repairs because of damage sustained in a typhoon off the Philippine Islands.  Numerous repairs for the SAN JACINTO included much electrical work; replacing the three gassing stations in hanger deck; repairing or renewing all ventilation trunks, boiler blower and intake trunks, two roller curtains, one fire curtain, and two watertight doors; and the rebricking of floor and back wall of number four boiler and floor of number 3 boiler which were damaged by flooding through boiler intakes.

  The U.S.S. LANGLEY (CVL-27) was moored alongside to port from 30 January 1945 to 5 February 1945 for repairs of battle damage,  The U.S.S. LANGLEY received a bomb hit, estimated 200 lbs., which penetrated the flight deck forward and exploded in officer's staterooms forward, destroying or damaging furniture, bulkheads, piping and deck.  Complete repairs were effected and furniture was replaced.

  16 to 19 February.  Underway for Leyte, P.I., in Task Unit 50.9.6, composed of U.S.S. DIXIE, HECTOR, MARKAB, PROMETHEUS, FOMALHAUT, BANCROFT, and BAILEY.  At 1452 anchored in Berth 57, San Pedro Bay, Leyte, P.I.

  21 February to 14 March.  Underway 21 February to shift to Berth 897 off Tarranguna, Leyte Gulf.  Remained in Berth 897 during this period effecting repairs to vessels bu ComServRon TEN Representative "A" (C.T.U. 50.9.2)

  14 to 21 March.  Underway 14 March to shift to Berth 666 off Tolosa and Dulag area, Leyte Gulf.  Remained in Berth 666 during this period, effecting repairs as noted above.

  21 to 27 March.  Underway 21 March to shif to Berth 719 off Dulag, Leyte.  Remained in this Berth during this period, effecting repairs as noted above.

  27 to 30 March.  Underway for Ulithi Atoll, Western Caroline Islands, with H.M.A.S GASCOYNE as escort.  At 2130 March 30, anchored at Ulithi Atoll.

  31 March to 21 April.  Anchored between Berths 8 and 9, Ulith Atoll, effecting routine repairs and repairing battle damage to vessels assigned by ComServRon TEN.

  21 to 23 April.  Underway for Saipan, Marianas.  Anchored in Tanapag, Outer Harbor, Saipan, at 1737 22 April.

  24 April.  Underway at 1048 to shift berths to Tanapag Inner Harbor, Saipan.  At 1206, moored bow and stern north of Berth N-12, Tanapag Inner Harbor.

  24 April to June 30.  Moored bow and stern north of Berth N-12, Tanapeg Inner Harbor, Saipan, effecting routine repairs and repairing battle damage to vessels assigned by ComServRon TEN Representative "C".

  30 June 1945 to January 1946.  General repair for fleet operations.

  21 January 1946.  "Homebound".

  3 February 1946.  Arrived San Pedro, went into drydock for complete overhaul.

  The U.S.S. HECTOR is now standing by in San Pedro Harbor making repairs on ships in this area, and awaiting orders for future fleet operations.

  Present commanding officer, Captain W.G. Pogue, U.S. Navy, present executive officer, Lieutenant Commander B.C. Hesser, U.S. Navy.