USS Libra (AKA-12)

USS "Libra" (AK-53/AKA-12/LKA-12) was an "Arcturus" class attack cargo ship named after the constellation Libra. She served as a commissioned ship for 11 years.

"Libra" (AK-53) was laid down as "Jean Lykes" by Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N.J., under contract for Lykes Brothers Steamship Company, Galveston, Texas; launched November 12, 1941; sponsored by Lindy Boggs, wife of Congressman Hale Boggs of Louisiana; acquired by the Navy December 30, 1941; named "Libra" January 9, 1942; and commissioned May 13, 1942, Comdr. W. B. Fletcher in command. "Libra" received nine battle stars for World War II service.

Operational history

WWII

olomon's and Bougainville campaigns

Completing conversion at New York City May 26, 1942, "Libra" loaded combat equipment at Hampton Roads and sailed June 10 for Wellington, New Zealand, arriving July 11. Laden with cargo for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, she sailed July 22 for rehearsals in the Fijis for the first Allied offensive of the Pacific War, the Solomons campaign. "Libra" arrived off Tulagi August 7 and began an unloading interrupted six times in the next 3 days, as enemy air attack caused her to go to general quarters and stand off to maneuver in open waters. In the early morning August 9 she heard heavy gunfire to the northwest, where Allied men-o’-war engaged the Japanese in the Battle of Savo Island, fighting to protect the transports and their vital cargo. Later the same day, empty, she sailed for Wellington, arriving August 20.

For the next 2 months, Libra sailed from Noumea to the Ellice Islands and Espiritu Santo, base for the Guadalcanal operation, building up supplies.

She returned to Guadalcanal November 11, and her group almost immediately came under enemy air attack. The determined enemy sent another seven planes against the transports next day; all were splashed by "Libra" and her sisters. She sailed for Espiritu Santo November 13 as the Battle of Guadalcanal, just south of Savo Island, raged to a victory which gave the Allies sea control off the southern Solomons. Returning to Espiritu Santo November 15, "Libra" prepared for two additional voyages to Guadalcanal during the next month, bringing cargo essential to the epic struggles of the marines to wrest the island from the Japanese.

From mid-December 1942 through March 1943, "Libra", redesignated AKA-12 on February 1, carried war equipment from New Zealand to bases in the New Hebrides. Joining the 3rd Fleet March 20, she returned to Guadalcanal April 3, and 4 days later joined in fighting off landbased enemy aircraft. She returned to Espiritu Santo April 10, and during the next 80 days made four voyages carrying cargo for the occupation of Guadalcanal. For her superlative performance of duty through the Guadalcanal campaign, Libra received the Navy Unit Commendation. She earned it in part June 30 when, unloading cargo at Rendova, her task group came under heavy enemy air attack. Deadly antiaircraft fire downed 17 of the 25 attacking torpedo planes before they could launch torpedoes, but got through to strike "McCawley" after passing under "Libra", unladen and high in the water. "Libra" took the stricken transport in tow. Later the same day, the two were attacked by eight dive bombers, three of whom they splashed. Relieved of the tow later that afternoon, "Libra" returned to Guadalcanal.

Aside from a repair period in New Zealand in August, "Libra" gave the next 4 months to building up the base on Guadalcanal with cargo from New Caledonia, then was part of the assault force for Bougainville, arriving Empress Augusta Bay November 1. Promptly unloading, she sailed the same day for Guadalcanal for additional cargo, with which she arrived Bougainville November 8, immediately to splash one of 25 dive bombers attacking her transport group.

"Libra" carried cargo among the New Hebrides, Solomons, and Marshalls until June 1944, when she prepared for the assault on Guam. Arriving off Guam from Eniwetok July 21, she quickly discharged heavy equipment for the 3d Marines on the Asan beaches, then sailed for San Francisco, arriving from Pearl Harbor August 19.

Leyte

Overhauled, "Libra" sailed from San Francisco October 20 for Milne Bay, New Guinea, and Manus, where she readied for the Lingayen Gulf landings. She entered the gulf January 11, 1945, off-loaded her vital cargo, and sailed for Leyte, Ulithi, and Guam. Her final amphibious operation was the Battle of Iwo Jima, off which she arrived February 19. For 2 weeks she maneuvered off the volcanic beaches, avoiding enemy shore batteries as she landed marine combat gear. For the remainder of the war, Libra carried cargo from Noumea to Leyte and intermediate ports.

Post WWII

In the first of her post-war cargo runs supporting the occupation of Japan, she entered Tokyo Bay September 2. Such duty complete November 21, "Libra" steamed for Seattle, arriving November 30.

Serving with the U.S. Pacific Fleet out of San Francisco for the next 2 years, "Libra" made four voyages to the western Pacific for essential cargo operations. She departed Guam October 6, 1947 for Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and Boston, where she arrived November 26. Here she decommissioned April 19, 1948 and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.

Korea

With the increased demand on cargo facilities brought on by the Korean conflict, "Libra" recommissioned August 28, 1950 to join the Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet, supporting its training operations along the east coast and in the Caribbean. She served in the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet January 18, 1954 to May 12, then trained reservists, sailing often with them to the Caribbean.

Decommissioned

"Libra" decommissioned October 6, 1955 to join the Reserve Fleet at Charleston, S.C., where she remained until transferred to the Maritime Administration in July 1964. She entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet, and was later sold for scrapping on April 17, 1985. [http://www.pmars.imsg.com/detail.asp?Ship=3018 MARAD record of ship disposal]

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l6/libra.htm Naval Historical Center: USS "Libra"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/02012.htm NavSource Online: AK-53 / AKA-12 / LKA-12 "Libra"]
* [http://unitpages.military.com/unitpages/unit.do?id=200311 Military.com: USS "Libra"]
* [http://ussrankin.org/id352.htm 51 Years of AKAs]