USS Prairie AD 15 – History, Service Record & Navy Decals
USS Prairie (AD-15): The Fleet's Indispensable Repair Ship
For the destroyermen who depended on her and the skilled sailors who served aboard her, USS Prairie (AD-15) was the backbone of the Pacific Fleet's readiness — a floating repair facility that kept America's destroyers fighting fit through war and peace alike.
Ship History
USS Prairie was a Dixie-class destroyer tender commissioned on January 5, 1941, at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. Built by the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation, she was one of six ships in her class designed to provide comprehensive repair, maintenance, and logistical support to destroyer squadrons operating far from shore-based facilities.
When the United States entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Prairie was already at sea and quickly became an essential asset in the Pacific. Operating out of ports across the Pacific Theater, she provided critical repair services to destroyers damaged in combat and worn down by the relentless pace of wartime operations. Her skilled crew of machinists, electricians, welders, and technicians could perform nearly any repair short of a full drydocking — keeping destroyers in the fight when they might otherwise have been sidelined for months.
After the war, Prairie continued her vital role during the Cold War era, supporting destroyer operations across the Pacific Fleet. She served at ports including San Diego, Pearl Harbor, and Subic Bay in the Philippines, providing a home away from home for the crews of dozens of destroyers over the decades.
USS Prairie was decommissioned on March 27, 1993, after more than 52 years of distinguished service — one of the longest service records of any U.S. Navy vessel of her era. Her hull number, AD-15, is a badge of honor for every veteran who served aboard her.
Hull Number Explained
The designation AD stands for Destroyer Tender — a vessel specifically designed and equipped to provide maintenance, repair, and logistical support to destroyer-type ships. Unlike combat vessels, destroyer tenders like Prairie were force multipliers: by keeping destroyers operational, they extended the reach and effectiveness of the entire fleet.
Hull number 15 placed her as the second ship of the Dixie class, following her sister ship USS Dixie (AD-14). The class was renowned for its versatility and the exceptional skill of the crews who operated these floating repair depots.
Fast Facts
- Commissioned: January 5, 1941
- Decommissioned: March 27, 1993
- Class: Dixie-class Destroyer Tender
- Builder: Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation
- Length: 530 feet
- Service: 52+ years, Pacific Fleet
Honor Her Service
If you served aboard USS Prairie — or want to honor a family member who did — we carry a full line of USS Prairie (AD-15) products including license plate frames, aluminum license plates, vinyl decals, a wall clock, key rings, and parking signs:
Each item proudly displays the ship's name and hull number, made for veterans, families, and proud supporters of those who served.