Newberry APA-158

Newberry
(APA-158: dp. 14,S37; 1. 455', b. 62', dr. 24'; s. 17.7 k.; cpl. 536; trp. 1,561; a. 1 5", 12 40mm.; cl. Haskell)

Newberry (APA-158) was laid down under Maritime Commission contract 10 June 1944 by Oregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, Ore.; launched 24 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Joseph M. McDonald; acquired by the Navy on a loan charter basis 6 October 1944; and commissioned the next day, Comdr. David R. Phoebus in command.

Newberry conducted shakedown off the west coast, then departed San Francisco for Hawaii, where she conducted final training in amphibious operations. On 31 December 1944 she embarked units of the 4th Marine Division~ and the following month left Pearl Harbor for the invasion of Iwo Jima. For 10 days following D-day, 17 February 1945, the attack transport landed her Marines and took on a total of 439 wounded. Speedy medical attention doubtless saved many from certain death. Newberry departed Iwo for Guam on the 27th.

Sailing via Saipan, she embarked part of the 2d Marine Division at Guam on 8 March, and on the 27th, got underway for the Okinawa operation. Standing in reserve, her troops were not needed; and she returned them to Saipan in April. Newberry remained there until early in June, then sailed to Espiritu Santo for supplies. She returned to Guam 2 July and sailed for San Francisco less than two weeks later, arriving on the 27th.

The attack transport departed the west coast 12 August, carrying replacement troops to the Philippines. At Leyte she took on Army units destined for occupation duty in the Japanese home islands, debarked them at Aomori, Honshu and began "Magic-Carpet" duty. She sailed 29 September for Iwo Jima, where she took on 2,500 passengers for Saipan. Exehanging these for another 2,300 veterans, she stood out from Saipan for San Francisco, arriving 24 October. Two week£ later she headed for Okinawa with replacements, and returned to California with still another full load of veterans.

Decommissioning 21 Fcbruary 1946, Newberry was returned to the WSA 3 March at Lee Hall, Va., and struck from the Navy List 12 March. She is presently berthed at James River, Va., as part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet.

Newberry received 2 battle stars for World War II service.