Impeccable (AM-320), originally ordered as
Brutus (BAM-7) for the
Royal Navy, was
launched by
General Engineering and Dry Dock Co.,
Alameda, California, 21 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Agnes W. Hanson; and commissioned 24 April 1944. The new minesweeper conducted
shakedown training off the
California coast before sailing 3 July 1944 on Pacific escort duty. Until November she steamed between
Pearl Harbor and the advance base at
Eniwetok, and during the last two months of 1944 operated on this duty in the
Palaus. After patrol and escort duty out of
Ulithi in early 1945,
Impeccable departed 19 March 1945 to take part in the amphibious assault on
Okinawa. Arriving off the island 24 March in advance of the landing group, the minesweeper began her critical job of sweeping the approach and transport areas. She underwent air attack 28 March and with the main assault 1 April moved to screening duties. As the
Japanese hurled wave after wave of
suicide planes at the invasion fleet in a desperate attempt to stop the capture of
Okinawa, the crew of the
Impeccable frequently manned their guns for long periods. She underwent air attack at
Kerama Retto 6 April, and in the long days that followed patrolled both off the
Hagushi beaches and on picket station. On 20 May she went alongside to give assistance to
USS Chase, damaged by a kamikaze attack. She also performed rescue duties when other screening and escort ships were damaged by enemy air action. Despite the heavy raids,
Okinawa was won, and
Impeccable sailed 1 July for
Guam. The veteran minesweeper returned to Okinawa with a resupply convoy from Guam and sailed again 16 August, the day after the
surrender of Japan. Despite the end of hostilities, much necessary and dangerous work remained for units of the fleet.
Impeccable returned to Okinawa 21 August; then in September and November swept the approaches to
Wakayama, Japan, in support of occupation operations.
Impeccable departed
Sasebo 20 November, sailing via Pearl Harbor to
San Francisco, California, where she arrived 15 December 1945. She remained there until decommissioning at
Terminal Island, California 27 March 1947.
Impeccable was recommissioned 12 March 1952 to strengthen American fleet units in
Korea, and after
shakedown sailed 3 September for
Sasebo. She moved immediately to the
Wonsan area to strengthen the naval siege and keep the harbor clear of mines. The ship also took part in the amphibious feint at
Kojo 12 to 14 October, exchanging fire with shore batteries in the area. On 18 October 1952, USS Impeccable (AM 320) and USS Chief (AM 315) received fire from estimated 105 mm enemy shore batteries located in the vicinity of Sondok. A total of 18 splashes were observed. Sweep gear was cut, and recovered under cover of darkness. No personnel or material casualties were experienced. During the months that followed
Impeccable remained on the eastern coast, aiding the naval blockade and helping to maintain the U.S. position on the offshore islands. She drove a
sampan ashore off
Hungnam 17 November 1952, and fought with
Wonsan batteries 20 February 1953 while covering USS Condor AMS 5 in a minesweeping operation. Her tour in the Korean War ended,
Impeccable arrived at Pearl Harbor 31 March and her home-port,
Long Beach, California, 10 April 1953. For the rest of the year the ship operated on training and readiness exercises off
Mexico and the
Panama Canal Zone.
Impeccable remained on minesweeping and fleet maneuvers through the first half of 1955.
Impeccable was reclassified MSF-320 on 7 February 1955.
Impeccable arrived at
Astoria, Oregon on 16 August 1955; was decommissioned on 14 October; and entered the
Pacific Reserve Fleet at
Bremerton, Washington, where she remained until she was struck from the Navy list 1 July 1972 and sold for scrap 1 April 1974. ==Awards and honors==