USS Presidio (APA-88)

Career
USS Presidio (APA-88) in San Francisco Bay, late 1945 or early 1946.
Name:	USS Presidio (APA-88)
Namesake:	Presidio County, Texas
Builder:	Consolidated Steel
Laid down:	6 December 1944
Launched:	17 February 1945
Sponsored by:	Mrs J K Harbert
Acquired:	8 April 1945
Commissioned:	9 April 1945
Decommissioned:	20 June 1946
Struck:	1 August 1947
Fate:	Sold for scrap, June 1965
General characteristics
Class and type:	Gilliam-class attack transport
Tonnage:	85,000 cu. ft., 600 t.
Displacement:	4,247 tons (lt), 7,080 t.(fl)
Length:	426 ft (130 m)
Beam:	58 ft (18 m)
Draft:	15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Propulsion:	Westinghouse turboelectric drive, 2 boilers, 2 propellers, Design shaft horsepower 6,000
Speed:	16.9 knots
Capacity:	47 Officers, 802 Enlisted
Crew:	27 Officers, 295 Enlisted
Armament:	1 x 5"/38 caliber dual-purpose gun, 4 x twin 40mm guns, 10 x single 20mm guns
Notes:	MCV Hull No. 1881, hull type S4-SE2-BD1

USS Presidio (APA-88) was a Gilliam-class attack transport acquired by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She had the ability to hold a full battalion of troops and disembark them in her landing craft. Although built late in the war, Presidio was successful in her mission and returned home proudly after the war with one battle star to her credit.

She was laid down 6 December 1944 by the Consolidated Steel Co., Wilmington, California, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1881); launched 17 February 1945; sponsored by Mrs. J. K. Harbert; delivered to the Navy 8 April 1945; and commissioned 9 April 1945, Lt. Comdr. Edgar Johnson in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

Following shakedown and amphibious training off California, Presidio departed the U.S. West Coast, 5 June 1945, for Hawaii, whence she carried men and equipment to Eniwetok and Kwajalein. Returning to Eniwetok, she sailed again 13 July and on the 17th rendezvoused with units of the U.S. 3rd Fleet to transfer cargo and personnel as that fleet continued to move against the enemy’s home islands.

Following that underway replenishment, she returned to Eniwetok, completed a run to Ulithi and Leyte, then got underway for another transfer of men and materiel at sea. On 17 August, 2 days after the cessation of hostilities, she rendezvoused with task group TG 38.3, then continued on to Eniwetok whence she steamed to Japan, arriving in Tokyo Bay 15 September to commence “Magic Carpet” duty. For the next seven months she plied the Pacific, carrying occupation personnel to Okinawa and Japan and bringing veterans back to the United States.

Inactivation and decommissioning

Designated for inactivation in the spring of 1946, she decommissioned at Pearl Harbor 20 June. Towed back to San Francisco, California, the following year, she was struck from the Navy List 1 August 1947 and transferred to the Maritime Commission at Suisun Bay 2 September 1947.

Awards

Presidio was awarded one battle star for World War II service.

References

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

External links