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Pedro de Heredia (Cherokee class) patrol tugs

The fifth Choctaw (AT-70) was launched 18 October 1942 by Charleston Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Charleston, S.C.; sponsored by Mrs. L. Cordell; commissioned 21 April 1943, Lieutenant J. D. Garland in command; and reported to the Atlantic Fleet. From 17 June 1943 to 8 May 1944, Choctaw served at Bermuda, where she aided assembling convoys and new ships undergoing training with tug and target-towing services. Putting to sea 8 May, she was reclassified ATF-70, 15 May, and reached Oran 19 May to take Holder (DE-401) in tow for New York City, where she delivered her tow 9 June. She returned to her duties at Bermuda until 22 July, when she sailed for ports in Wales to take two LSTs in tow for New York, arriving 30 September.

After overhaul at Norfolk, Choctaw sailed for tug duty at St. John's and Argentia, Newfoundland, between 20 November 1944 and 8 December, when she sailed to rendezvous with Huron (PF-19). She took the collision-damaged ship in tow for Bermuda and Charleston, and returned to Newfoundland for service between 3 January 1945 and 14 March. She then operated off the east coast and in the Caribbean on salvage duty and in towing targets until 15 October 1946, when she arrived at Orange, Tex. There she was placed in commission in reserve 1 February 1947, and out of commission in reserve 11 March 1947.

The "Pedro de Heredia" belonged to the US fleet that fought in the Second World War and joined the Armada Colombiana to fulfill missions such as monitoring and enforcing sovereignty in the Caribbean, especially in water San Andres and Providencia. It was also in charge of rescue ships and sailors adrift coming from Nicaragua fleeing their country. Similarly was essential to support the population during hurricane 'Andrew'. The ship was disabled since 2001, and in 2007 was sunk to become an artificial reef for marine life generate and promote tourism diving and fishing. After 65 years of activity, the heroic ARC "Pedro de Heredia" towing vessel and rescue of the Navy, was sunk off the island of Tierrabomba, with the purpose of creating an artificial reef.