USS Bladen (APA-63)

USS Bladen (APA-63)
Career (USA)
Name: USS Bladen (APA-63)
Builder: Consolidated Steel
Laid down: 8 March 1944
Launched: 31 May 1944
Sponsored by: Mrs. John McNerney
Acquired: 17 October 1944
Commissioned: 18 October 1944
Decommissioned: 26 December 1946
Honours and
awards:		 Two battle stars for World War II service
Fate: Unknown
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:16.9 knots
Capacity:86 Officers 1,475 Enlisted
Crew:47 Officers, 802 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. 1851, hull type S4-SE2-BD1

USS Bladen (APA-63) was a Gilliam-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

Bladen was named after Bladen County, North Carolina. She was launched 31 May 1944 by Consolidated Steel at Wilmington, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; acquired by the Navy 17 October 1944; and commissioned 18 October 1944, Lieutenant Commander W. P. Hartung, USNR, in command.

Operational history

World War II

Bladen departed the west coast for Pearl Harbor 20 November 1944 and upon arrival embarked personnel of the 103rd and 109th Construction Battalions for Guam.

Invasion of Iwo Jima

Returning to Pearl Harbor 13 January 1945 the ship commenced combat loading and training maneuvers. On 27 January she set sail for Iwo Jima, via Saipan. The attack transport debarked troops and provided logistic support during the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima (19–28 February).

Invasion of Okinawa

After a brief layover at Saipan, Bladen prepared for the invasion of Okinawa. She performed her logistic services during the initial strikes against, and occupation of, Okinawa (1–10 April). In the middle of April she returned to Saipan where she remained at anchor for six weeks.

On 4 June she got underway for Tulagi, Solomon Islands, and thence to Nouméa, New Caledonia. She returned to San Francisco 21 July for a brief yard period.

After hostilities

With a passenger list of army and naval personnel, Blade sailed in August for Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, and Ulithi. She then steamed to the Philippines where she remained until 20 September. She next transported army personnel and equipment to Wakayama, Honshū, Japan. On 26 September she departed Wakayama and returned to the Philippines.

Bladen made another trip to Japan before getting underway for San Francisco, where she arrived 23 November. In December she made a return voyage to the Philippines.

Operation Crossroads

On 22 January 1946 she proceeded to Pearl Harbor where she remained until 18 May undergoing preparations for Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. She participated in the operation between 31 May and 30 August 1946. Bladen departed Kwajalein Atoll 30 August for San Francisco, where she arrived 13 September.

Decommission

Bladen departed the west coast 1 November and steamed to Norfolk, Virginia. Upon arrival she reported for inactivation and was decommissioned 26 December 1946. She was transferred to the Maritime Commission 3 August 1953. Her final disposition is unknown.

Decorations

Bladen earned two battle stars for her World War II service.

References

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