USS Lacerta (AKA-29)

USS "Lacerta" (AKA-29) was an "Artemis" class attack cargo ship named after the constellation "Lacerta". She served as a commissioned ship for 15 months.

"Lacerta" (AKA-29) was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract 5 July 1944 by Walsh-Kaiser Co., Inc., Providence, R.I.; launched 10 November 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Frank Bratley; acquired by the Navy 19 December 1944; and commissioned the same day, Lt. Comdr. Louis Funkenstein in command.

After shakedown, "Lacerta" cleared Norfolk 18 January 1945 for Pearl Harbor where she loaded hospital crew and cargo for the Solomon Islands. Arriving Guadalcanal 27 February, "Lacerta" discharged cargo and embarked troops for the Okinawa invasion. She departed Saipan 27 March for the operation that would advance American troops to a strategic position almost next door to Japan. Arriving in the transport area 1 April under heavy enemy air raids, the cargo ship remained off the southeast coast of Okinawa unloading supplies, 150 mm Howitzers, and Marines from Guadalcanal for Marines fighting ashore.

"Lacerta" departed Okinawa 9 April for Saipan, where she remained until 3 June. In the months prior to Japan’s surrender, she ferried cargo among the Solomon and Mariana Islands before arriving Manila 22 August. Loading troops and equipment there, "Lacerta" participated in the movement of occupation forces to Japan, arriving Yokohama 13 September. She then went to Haiphong (French Indo China) took on 6,000 Chinese Nationalist troops (1,000 each in 6 ships) carrying them to Changwataeo (sp?) at the Northern tip of the Yellow sea China, remaining in the Far Fast until 19 November when she cleared Tsingtao, China, for Seattle.

After a short stay at Seattle,she left on January 1,1946 "Lacerta" arrived Norfolk 12 February 1946 and decommissioned. 25 March. She was anchored in the Saint James, NC and returned to the Maritime Commission for disposal.

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

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l1/lacerta.htm Naval Historical Center: USS "Lacerta"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/02029.htm NavSource Online: AKA-29 "Lacerta"]
* [http://ussrankin.org/id352.htm 51 Years of AKAs]