USS Prentiss (AKA-102)

USS "Prentiss" (AKA-102) was a "Tolland" class attack cargo ship named after Prentiss County, Mississippi. Like all AKAs, "Prentiss" was designed to carry military cargo and landing craft, and to use the latter to land weapons, supplies, and Marines on enemy shores during amphibious operations. She served as a commissioned ship for 15 months.

"Prentiss" was laid down as MC hull 1699 by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Co., Wilmington, North Carolina, 10 October 1944; launched 6 December 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Roger Williams; acquired on loan charter basis from the Maritime Commission by the Navy 12 January 1945; and commissioned 11 February 1945, Lt. Comdr. George P. Walker, USNR, in command.

After shakedown in the Chesapeake Bay area, "Prentiss" sailed from Norfolk for Pearl Harbor, arriving 13 April. She departed Hawaii 6 May with ammunition and general cargo for Okinawa. Within hours of her arrival, 21 June, she underwent one of that area’s frequent attacks. During the action her gunners shot down a kamikaze. Following this spirited reception, unloading of her volatile cargo was speedy; she departed the area 27 June.

Returning to San Francisco 28 July, she remained on the west coast until after the end of hostilities. She then loaded general cargo and sailed for Pearl Harbor and the southwest Pacific. Between October 1945 and February 1946 she carried cargo between the Philippines, the Netherlands East Indies, and Australia. Returning to the U.S., she was decommissioned 31 May 1946, was returned to the War Shipping Administration 1 June 1946, and was struck from the Navy List 19 June 1946. She has since served commercially as "SS Alcoa Ranger".

"Prentiss" received one battle star for World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p11/prentiss.htm Naval Historical Center: USS "Prentiss"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/02102.htm NavSource Online: AKA-102 "Prentiss"]
* [http://ussrankin.org/id352.htm 51 Years of AKAs]