USS Clearfield (APA-142)

USS "Clearfield" (APA-142) was a "Haskell"-class attack transport built and used by the US Navy in World War II. She was a Victory ship design, VC2-S-AP5. She was named after Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, USA.

World War II service

"Clearfield" was launched 21 November 1944 by California Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. F. L. Chambers; acquired by the Navy 11 January 1945; and commissioned 12 January 1945, Captain F. C. Stelter, Jr., in command.

"Clearfield" loaded construction battalion troops and cargo at Port Hueneme, California, and departed 9 March 1945 for Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Ulithi and Okinawa, where she arrived 17 April, to disembark her passengers and their equipment at Ie Shima, to build an airfield.

She sailed from Okinawa 26 April to load Army replacements at San Francisco and transported these troops to Manila, arriving 23 June. After moving occupation troops among the Philippine Islands, "Clearfield" departed Manila 27 August for Tokyo, where she landed soldiers 2 September.

From 4 September 1945 "Clearfield" operated between Okinawa and Manila and ports in China, supporting the reoccupation of northern China by transporting Marines and Chinese troops. She got underway for Tacoma, Washington, 2 December, and after overhaul, sailed to Norfolk, arriving 4 February 1946. "Clearfield" was decommissioned 4 March 1946, and returned to the War Shipping Administration 6 March 1946.

Fate

Ex-"Clearfield" was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at James River, Virginia. Between 2 September and 27 October .

Award

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

References