Submarine tenders like the USS Aegir (AS-23) and USS Pelias (AS-14) played a vital but often overlooked role during WWII. These ships were floating repair bases, supplying submarines with fuel, provisions, armament, and technical maintenance far from mainland shipyards. Their mobility allowed the submarine fleet to remain active across the vast Pacific theater. The USS Pelias, one of the early submarine tenders, sailed to Pearl Harbor before the Japanese attack, arriving on 21 November 1941, and was present during the attack on 7 December 1941 – her anti-aircraft fire helping to repel Japanese aircraft. She went on to see extensive service throughout the Pacific during the war. The USS Aegir, commissioned in 1943, represented the newer class of tenders built to meet the demands of large scale submarine operations. Together, they supported the «Silent Service» – the submarine force whose campaigns were critical in cutting Japanese supply lines.
Worn black crackle Zippo, its surface etched with the owner’s initials «E.T.A.» above the names of ships he served on, «USS Aegir» and «USS Pelias», on the front. The reverse bears the places of action «Midway», «Pearl Harbor» and «Panama», while the sides are marked «Frisco Cal» and «U.S. Navy».
