USS Mifflin (APA-207)

USS "Mifflin" (APA-207) was a sclass|Haskell|attack transport of the US Navy. She was named after Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

Construction

"Mifflin" (APA-207) was laid down 15 May 1944 by Permanente Metals Corp. Shipyard No. 2, Richmond, California; launched 7 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Alma De Brettville Sprecies; accepted by the Navy on a loan basis; and commissioned 11 October 1944, Comdr. L. J. Modave in command.

World War II

After shakedown, "Mifflin" embarked 1,100 troops and sailed to Pearl Harbor. Exchanging her initial passengers for 4th Division Marines, she continued amphibious exercises off Maui, until ordered to Saipan 27 January 1945. On 19 February, her boats landed 4th Marines on the shore of
Iwo Jima. She remained almost a week to offload priority, then request cargo, and to take on board battle casualties. This included her own, for the ship's beach party was hard hit the first day suffering 14 wounded and three missing.

"Mifflin" also sustained a shell hit on her 40mm gun director before retiring with the wounded to Saipan on the 28th.

Having replaced lost equipment and boats, she sailed 16 March to nearby Tinian to practice for the invasion of Okinawa. In position for this last great assault, on 1 and 2 April her boats feinted a landing of 2d Division Marines on the southeastern shore to lessen opposition to the main effort on the western beaches. Again returning her Marines to Saipan, she remained until early June. Steaming to the New Hebrides, "Mifflin" loaded stores which she discharged 30 June at Guam. Independence Day, she weighed anchor for San Francisco with a small passenger list and a need for repairs.

Two months later, when she returned to the western Pacific to disembark 1,600 Army replacement troops at Manila, Philippines, the war had ceased. "Mifflin" reloaded with men of the 33d Infantry Division assigned to occupation duty and arrived Wakayama, Japan, 25 September. The next month, over 1,000 troops of the 24th Infantry Division were transported from Mindanao, Philippines, to Okajama, Japan. Sailing to Okinawa 30 October, she engaged in "Magic Carpet" duty from November to March 1946, returning additional thousands of veterans to San Francisco. Inactivation soon began with "Mifflin" placed out of service in reserve 5 July 1946, assigned to the 19th Fleet, Stockton, California. Struck from the Naval Register 1 October 1958, she was returned to the Maritime Commission the same date. Assigned to the National Defense Reserve Fleet, she was berthed as Suisun Bay, California, into 1969.

Awards

"Mifflin" received two battle stars for World War II service.

References