USNS Norwalk (T-AK-279) was the first in her class, a Fleet Ballistic Missile Cargo Ship, which was launched as a World War II commercial Victory cargo ship SS Norwalk Victory under the Emergency Shipbuilding program.

[4] Norwalk Victory made six trips moving horses, heifers, and mules, as well as a some chicks, rabbits, and goats.

In 1947 she was wrecked in the Schelde River, France; she was, raised, repaired, and put back into service.

SS Norwalk Victory served as merchant marine ship supplying goods for the Korean War.

About 75 percent of the personnel taking to Korea for the Korean War came by the merchant marine ship.

In New Orleans, Louisiana she was refitted to be a Fleet Ballistic Missile Cargo Ship, to support Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarine tenders at Holy Loch, Scotland and Naval Station Rota in Spain.

On 10 September 1979 she as laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, at Fort Eustis, Newport News, Virginia.