The second Exploit (AM-440) was launched 10 April 1953 by Higgins Corp., New Orleans, La., sponsored by Mrs. R. F. Kennon,
wife of the Governor of Louisiana; and commissioned 31 March 1954, Lieutenant Commander E. M. Akin in command. She was reclassified
MSO-440 7 February 1955.
Exploit arrived at Charleston, S.C., her home port 13 March 1955, and began her participation in major fleet exercises,
and local and Caribbean training. In 1954, 1957, and 1958, she served with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, participating
in exercises and visiting a variety of ports. Her stateside schedule through June 1960 included work in experimental development
of mine warfare and defense in Florida waters.
On 28 October 1960 Exploit again sailed for duty with the 6th Fleet and remained there through the end of the year.
Nasa Recovery Ship:
Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) - July 21, 1961.
Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6) - February 20, 1962
Apollo-Saturn
16 (AS-16) - April 16-27, 1972
USS Exploit was decommissioned, 16 December 1993; laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance
Facility, Portsmouth, Virginia; struck from the Naval Register, 28 March 1994; sold, 4 December 2000 to Baltimore Marine Industries,
Baltimore, Maryland, for scrapping.