U.S. Navy WWII vessel type abbreviations from FM 30-50: Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels, U.S. Navy Department, September 1943:
TYPE DESIGNATIONS: U.S. NAVAL VESSELS
PRINCIPAL COMBATANT TYPES
BB Battleship CB Large Cruiser CV Aircraft Carrier CVL Aircraft Carrier (Light) CVE Aircraft Carrier (Escort) CA Heavy Cruiser CL Light Cruiser DD Destroyer DE Destroyer Escort Vessel SS Submarine SM Minelaying Submarine
MINOR COMBATANT TYPES
CM Minelayer DM Light Minelayer DMS High-Speed Minesweeper AM Minesweeper AN Net-Laying Ship PF Frigate PE Eagle Boat PG Gunboat PC Submarine Chaser PCE Patrol Craft Escort PCS Submarine Chaser (136′) SC Submarine Chaser (110′) PT PTC Motor Torpedo Boat PY Yacht
NAVAL AUXILIARIES
Tenders
AD Destroyer Tender AH Hospital Ship AS Submarine Tender ASR Submarine Rescue Vessel AR Repair Shop ARB Battle Damage Repair Ship ARG Internal Combustion Engine Repair Ship ARH Hull Repair Ship ARL Landing Craft Repair Ship ARS Salvage Vessel AV Seaplane Tender AVD Destroyer Seaplane Tender AVP Small Seaplane Tender AGP Motor Torpedo Boat Tender
CARGO AND FUEL SHIPS
AE Ammunition Ship AF Provision Storeship AK Cargo Ship AKA Attack Cargo Ship AKS Stores Issue Ship AO Oiler AOG Gasoline Tanker
TRANSPORTS
AP Troop Transport APA Attack Transport APD High-Speed Transport APN Wounded Evacuation Transport APM Mechanized Artillery Transport APR Rescue Transport APV Aircraft Transport AGC Operations And Command Headquarters Ship
LANDING CRAFT
LCC Control Landing Craft LCI Infantry Landing Craft LCT Tank Landing Craft LSO Dock Landing Ship LST Tank Landing Ship LCM Mechanized Equipment Landing Craft LCV Vehicle Landing Craft LCS Support Landing Craft LCP Personnel Landing Craft LVT Tracked Landing Craft LCR Rubber Landing Craft
NAVAL AUXILIARIES
Base Craft
AB Crane Ship ABD Advance Base Dock ABSO Advance Base Sectional Dock AFD Mobile Floating Dock APL Barracks Ship APC Coastal Transport ARDC Concrete Repair Dock ARD Floating Drydock AT Ocean-Going Tug ATR Rescue Tug AVR Aircraft Resscue Vessel AMB Harbor Minesweeper
Miscellaneous
AG Miscellaneous Auxiliaries AGS Surveying Ship IX Unclassified
DISTRICT CRAFT
YAG Miscellaneous District Auxiliaries YMS Motor Minesweeper YMT Motor Tug YN Net Tender YNG Gate Tender YP District Patrol Vessel YT Harbor Tug CMC Coastal Minesweeper
Barges
YCD Fueling Barge YO Fuel-Oil Barge YOS Oil Storage Barge YPK Pontoon Storage Barge YS Stevedoring Barge YSR Sludge Removal Barge YTT Torpedo Testing Barge YW Water Barge
LIGHTERS
YA Ash Lighter YC Open Lighter YCK Open Cargo Lighter YCV Aircraft Transport Lighter YF Covered Lighter YFT Torpedo Transport Lighter YG Garbage Lighter YLA Open Landing Lighter
MISCELLANEOUS
YCF Car Floats YD Floating Derrick YDG Degaussing Vessel YDT Diving Tender YE Ammunition Tender YFB Ferry Boat YFD Floating Drydock YHB Houseboat YHT Heating Scow YM Dredge YPD Floating Pile Driver YR Floating Workshop YRDH Dry Dock Workshop–Hull YSD Seaplane Wreck Derrick YSP Salvage Pontoon
