USS Doyen (APA-1)

USS "Doyen" (APA-1) was a sclass|Doyen|attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

The second "Doyen" was launched as transport AP-2 on 9 July 1942 by Consolidated Steel of Los Angeles, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; reclassified APA-1, 1 February 1943; acquired by the Navy 20 April 1943 and converted at Bethlehem Steel of San Pedro, California; and commissioned 22 May 1943, Commander P. F. Dugan in command.

World War II

Invasion of Kiska

"Doyen" sailed from San Francisco 9 July 1943 carrying troops to the Aleutians for the invasion of Kiska from 14 to 21 August, then returned by way of Pearl Harbor to San Francisco, arriving 11 September. A week later she got underway from San Diego to embark Marines at Pearl Harbor for New Zealand.

Invasion of Tarawa

She arrived at Wellington 24 October and on 1 November sailed with men of the 2nd Marine Division for the assault on the Gilbert Islands. From 20 to 24 November she landed her troops at Tarawa and embarked casualties under attack from enemy shore batteries and torpedo planes. After bringing her passengers to Pearl Harbor, "Doyen" returned to the west coast for training duty, arriving at San Diego 18 December.

Invasions of Kwajalein, Saipan and Guam

"Doyen" got underway 13 January 1944 for the invasion of Kwajalein, landing her troops the last day of the month and receiving casualties and prisoners of war for transportation to Pearl Harbor where she arrived 15 February. She remained in the Hawaiian Islands on training duty until 30 May when she sailed for Eniwetok thence to the invasion of Saipan from 16 to 22 June and Guam from 22 to 28 July.

Invasion of Leyte

"Doyen" arrived at Manus 3 October 1944 to join up for the invasion of the Philippines. She put her troops ashore in the assault in Leyte Gulf on 20 and 21 October, then sailed to Humboldt Bay, New Guinea, for reinforcements whom she landed in Leyte Gulf on 18 November.

Invasions of Lingayen Gulf and Iwo Jima

Returning to Manus 24 November "Doyen" loaded Army troops at Cape Torokina, Bougainville, and trained them at Huon Gulf, New Guinea, for the amphibious assault at Lingayen Gulf on 9 and 10 January 1945. After repairs at Ulithi, she loaded cargo and embarked Marines at Guam. On 16 February she sailed for the initial assault on Iwo Jima on 19 February. She lay off the island to receive casualties whom she landed at Saipan 9 March, then carried naval constructors to Guam before arriving at Nouméa 23 March for repairs and training.

Transport missions

"Doyen" left Nouméa 3 May 1945 to carry troops to San Pedro Bay, Leyte, then sailed to Guam to embark patients, with whom she arrived at San Diego 17 June. After a complete overhaul, she carried troops and returning veterans between the west coast and Pearl Harbor from 28 September to 30 December.

Decommission

On 4 January 1946 she put out from Seattle for the east coast, arriving at New York 4 February. "Doyen" was decommissioned 22 March 1946, and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal 26 June 1946.

Awards

"Doyen" received six battle stars for World War II service.

Postwar service

"Doyen" was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet until transferred to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1959, who renamed her TS "Bay State". She was returned to the Maritime Administration in January 1974 and is believed to have been later sold for conversion to a barge. Her final disposition is unknown.

References

* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/apa1.htm USS "Doyen" (APA-1)] , DANFS Online.
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03001.htm APA-1 "Doyen"] , Navsource Online.