USS Panda (IX-125)

USS "Panda" (IX-125), an "Armadillo"-class tanker designated an unclassified miscellaneous vessel, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the panda, a bear-like carnivore of Tibet and southern China. Her keel was laid down as "Opie Read" (MC hull 1929) in 1943 by Delta Shipbuilding Company, in New Orleans, Louisiana (T. Z.ET1.S.C3). She was renamed "Panda" 27 October 1943 upon charter from the War Shipping Administration, accepted 5 January 1944, and commissioned on 6 January 1944, Lieutenant Commander William A. Porteous, Jr., in command.

"Panda" joined the logistics forces of the Seventh Fleet in the Southwest Pacific in March 1944, and served as floating oil storage facility, primarily at Hollandia, New Guinea, until October, when she followed the invasion forces to San Pedro Bay, Leyte. During the next three months, her gunners splashed five enemy planes during four separate attacks, none of which put her out of action. Her service to the fleet in the Philippines continued through the final months of action. "Panda" remained in the Philippines to serve occupation forces until sailing for Norfolk, Virginia, arriving 5 June 1946. There she decommissioned on 12 July 1946, returned to the War Shipping Administration on 15 July 1946, and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 31 July 1946.

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

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