USS Lavaca (APA-180)

USS "Lavaca" (APA-180) 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 Lavaca County, Texas, USA.

World War II service

"Lavaca" was launched 27 November 1944 by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, Oregon, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. Charles Harper, Jr.; acquired by the Navy 17 December 1944 and commissioned the same day, Capt. Walter S. Gabel, USNR, in command.

After shakedown off California, "Lavaca" arrived San Diego 30 December and on 29 January 1945 became the flagship for Commander, Transport Division 65.

"Lavaca" arrived Pearl Harbor 25 February. Leaving 8 March, she transported Seabees to the Philippines, arriving Samar 27 March. From 27 March to 2 August "Lavaca" shuttled troops and equipment between the Admiralty and Philippine Islands.

On 2 August she arrived Markham Bay, New Guinea. That night an Australian plane crashed into Huon Gulf. "Lavaca’s" salvage crew rescued five men and towed the plane to shore.

On 27 August following Japan’s capitulation, "Lavaca" joined TF 33.1 at Luzon, prepared for the occupation of Japan, and arrived Yokohama 2 September. The attack transport shuttled passengers from Pearl Harbor and San Francisco to Sasebo, Japan, 7 September 1945 to 6 July 1946.

She departed Sasebo for the east coast via Colon, Panama, and arrived Norfolk, Virginia, 12 July. "Lavaca" decommissioned 31 January 1947 and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Norfolk.

Fate

She was struck from the Navy list 1 October 1958 following transfer to the Maritime Administration and placed in National Defense Reserve Fleet at Wilmington, North Carolina, in September. In October 1964 "Lavaca" was moved to the James River, Virginia. In late cite web |url= http://www.pmars.imsg.com/NewCards/2968_5523AF.jpg|title= RESERVE FLEET - SHIP PARTICULARS - LAVACA (card 1) |accessdate= 2006-10-25] .

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