USS Propus (AK-132)

USS Propus (AK-132) was an Crater-class cargo ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She was responsible for delivering troops, goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.

Propus (AK–132) was laid down 31 January 1944 by St. John’s River Shipbuilding Co., Jacksonville, Florida, as MCE hull 2471; launched 29 March 1944; chartered by the Navy 10 April 1944; converted by Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock Co., Jacksonville, Florida; and commissioned 22 June 1944, Lt. Comdr. Harvey A. Seeley in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

Following shakedown in Chesapeake Bay, Propus (AK–132) proceeded via the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean. In 1944 she operated at San Francisco, California, in September; Pearl Harbor and San Francisco in October; and San Pedro, California, in December. In 1945 her cargo duties took her to Noumea and Espiritu Santo in January; Pearl Harbor, San Francisco and back to sea in February and March; Eniwetok, Saipan, and Tinian in April; San Francisco in May; Manus in June; Emirau and Manus in July; Pearl Harbor in August; San Francisco in September; and Norfolk, Virginia, in October.

Post-war decommissioning

Decommissioned 20 November 1945, she was redelivered to the War Shipping Administration 21 November and struck from the Naval Vessel Register 5 December. She was sold for commercial service by the Maritime Commission in 1947, to a Greek shipping company and renamed SS Nicolaou Georgios. She was burnt in 1951, repaired, and renamed MV Gabbiano (Motorized). Final Disposition: scrapped in 1970.

Military awards and honors

No battle stars are indicated for Propus in current Navy accounts. However, her crew was eligible for the following medals:

• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal

References

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

External links

• Photo gallery of Propus at NavSource Naval History