Quest II AM-281

Quest II

(AM-281: dp. 650; 1. 184'6"; b. 33'2"; dr. 10'9"; s. 14.8 k.; cpl.
104; a. 1 3", 2 40mm; cl. Admirable)

The second Quest was laid down 24 November 1943 by Gulf SB Co., Chiekasaw, Ala; launched 16 March 1944 sponsored by Mrs. O. R. Johnson; and commissioned 25 October 1944, Lt. J. T. Riley, Jr., USNR, in command.

After fitting out, training, and shakedown exercises, Quest sailed for Portland, Maine 21 December, to report for duty with CTG 23.9. Upon arriving at Portland, the Minesweeper participated in anti-submarine exercises until departing for Norfolk 29 December. Arriving 31 December, she remained there until 4 January 1945, when she departed for the Canal Zone, enroute to the Pacific Fleet. During her voyage to the Canal Zone, she served as convoy escort to the Coronis (ARW10) and Kaweah (AO-15). Arriving at San Diego 24 January, Quest conducted exercises along the West Coast until 1 March, when she became the school ship at the Naval Small Craft Training Center, San Pedro, Calif. Relieved of this duty 24 March, she sailed for San Diego to take up target towing duties until late April, when she returned to San Pedro to onee again resume her training ship duties. netached from this duty 20 August, she sailed for Pearl Harbor, arriving 28 August.

Departing Pearl Harbor 3 September, as part of TU 10.15.16, she sailed for Eniwetok Atoll. She then sailed to Okinawa, via Saipan, arriving 3 October. Quest participated in minesweeping operations in and around Okinawa and Southern Japan until 5 November when she sailed for the East China Sea in company with Bauer (DM-26), Garland (AM-238) and Notable (AM-267). After clearing minefields in the area, the sturdy mineeraft returned to Sasebo, Japan arriving in late November. Quest participated in minesweeping operations in Japan until 20 February 1946, when she began a voyage to Eniwetok Atoll, acting as escort for YMS-~SI and YMS 439. Arriving at Eniwetok 12 March, Quest served as a logistics support vessel for the two YMSs as they swept mines around Eniwetok in preparation for operation "Crossroads". On 23 March Quest, in company with YMS-67 sailed for Subie Bay arriving 11 April. She remained there until 2 May, at which time she was decommissioned.

Struck from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register 29 September 1947, Quest was not yet through with her naval service, for on 2 July 1948, she was transferred to the Philippines. Converted to the Presidential Yacht, she was renamed Apo-£l and commissioned later that year. She was renamed Pagasa and has served under the names Santa Maria, Pagasa, and Mount Samat into 1970.

Quest received two battle stars for World War II service.