Queens APA-103

Queens

(APA-103: dp. 13,200 (f.); 1. 473'1"; b. 66'; dr. 25'; s. 17 k.;
cpl. 476; a. 2 5", 8 40mm.; cl. Windsor; T. C3-S-A3)

Queens (APA-103) was laid down 2 March 1944 as MC hull 1677 by Bethlehem Steel Corp., Sparrows Point, Md. Iaunehed 12 September 1944, sponsored by Miss Jeanne L Fogle; acquired by the Navy from the Maritime Commission on loan charter 16 December 1944; and commissioned 16 December 1944, Capt. John J. Moekrish, USNR, in command.

Following shakedown and amphibious training in Chesapeake Bav, Queens reported for duty at Queens, N.Y., to Commander, Task Force 29, 15 January l945. SafliTIg via Norfolk, Va., and the Panama Canal, she arrived Pearl Ilarbor 7 February.

After training, she departed Pearl Harbor 2 March, carrying 1,250 Army and Navy troops. Arriving via Eniwetok, she debarked troops at Iwo Jima 26 March. She began medical treatment for Iwo Jima casualties 30 March. Departing Iwo Jima 12 April with 1,500 Marines, she proceeded via Guam Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor to Hilo, Hawaii, where she debarked troops 25 April.

Following amphibious training, she left Pearl Harbor for San Francisco 23 Mav, and proceeded to Everett, Wash., for repairs. Sailing baek to action via Pearl Harbor, she delivered troops and cargo to Saipan 11 July. After steaming non-stop from Saipan to San Franeiso, arriving 25 July, she delivered troops to Pearl Harbor 11 August. Loaded with 5th Amphibious personnel, she debarked occupation troops at Sasebo, Japan 22 September, and then embarked Army infantrymen in the Philippines, before returning to the United States.

Assigned to inactive status in September 1945, Queens arrived Norfolk, Va., 29 April 1946, decommissioned l0 June, and was redelivered to the War Shipping Administration 11 June. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 19 June 1946.