USS Clarendon (APA-72)

USS Clarendon (APA-72) was a Gilliam-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

History
United States
Name: USS Clarendon (APA-72)
Namesake: A county in South Carolina
Builder: Consolidated Steel
Launched: 12 September 1944
Sponsored by: Mrs T. May
Acquired: 14 December 1944
Commissioned: 14 December 1944
Decommissioned: 9 April 1946
Fate: Scrapped 16 October 1964
General characteristics
Class and type: Gilliam-class attack transport
Tonnage: 85,000 cu. ft., 2,600 t.
Displacement: 4,247 tons (lt), 7,080 t.(fl)
Length: 426 ft (130 m)
Beam: 58 ft (18 m)
Draft: 16 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsion: Westinghouse turboelectric drive, 2 boilers, 2 propellers, Design shaft horsepower 6,000
Speed: 17 knots
Capacity: 47 Officers, 802 Enlisted
Crew: 27 Officers, 295 Enlisted
Armament: 1 x 5"/38 caliber dual-purpose gun mount, 4 x twin 40mm gun mounts, 10 x single 20mm gun mounts
Notes: MCV Hull No. ?, hull type S4-SE2-BD1

Clarendon was named after a county in South Carolina. She was launched 12 September 1944 by Consolidated Steel at Wilmington, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; commissioned 14 December 1944, Lieutenant Commander E. A. Stroik, USNR, in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

Operational history

World War II

Clarendon sailed from San Diego 6 February 1945 to join amphibious exercises in the Hawaiian Islands, then sailed for Ulithi, where late in March she joined the escort of a convoy to voyage to Saipan.

Invasion of Okinawa

Returning to Ulithi, she put to sea 22 April to carry combat cargo to Okinawa, off which she lay to discharge 26 to 30 April. On the 28th, she drove away enemy aircraft with her intensive gunfire.

Returning to the west coast 22 May 1945, Clarendon made three voyages from San Diego and San Francisco to Pearl Harbor, carrying passengers and cargo in both directions. On 29 July she got underway from San Francisco.

After hostilities

Clarendon called at Eniwetok, Ulithi, Manila, and put into Tokyo 13 September. She carried troops for the occupation of Japan and in the redeployment of forces in China until 15 November, when she sailed from Taku to load homeward bound troops at Samar, Guam, Saipan, and Iwo Jima on her way to San Pedro, where she arrived 18 December.

Decommission

In January 1946 she sailed north to Seattle, where she was decommissioned 9 April 1946, and transferred to the War Shipping Administration in June 1946. She was scrapped by Zidell, Portland, OR; scrapping completed 16 October 1964.

Decorations

Clarendon received one battle star for World War II service.

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References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

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