USS Kenmore (AK-221)

USS "Kenmore" (AP-162) (later redisgnated AK-221) was a sclass|Crater|cargo ship built during World War II for the U.S. Navy. She carried cargo and/or troops into battle areas in the Pacific Ocean, and continued this work until the end of the war, when she returned Stateside with two battle stars to her credit.

"Kenmore" was launched as SS "James H. McClintock" 30 May 1943 by California Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. T. J. Bluechel; renamed Kenmore 27 October 1943; acquired by the Navy and commissioned 14 November 1943, Lt. Comdr. O. H. Pitts, in command.

"Kenmore" loaded cargo and departed Oakland, California, 22 November, arriving Pearl Harbor on 1 December. After repairs at Pearl Harbor, she prepared for the Marshall Islands invasion and departed Hawaii 25 January 1944. Nine days later she arrived off the shores of Majuro Atoll with troops and equipment of the attacking force. The cargo ship returned to Pearl Harbor 21 February to embark garrison troops for the Gilbert Islands, debarking them at Tarawa in March. After shuttling troops between the Gilberts and Hawaii for the next 2 months, "Kenmore" departed Honolulu 29 May for Kwajalein, the staging area for the invasion of the Marianas. There she loaded troops of the 106th Infantry and arrived with the massive amphibious force in the assault area off Saipan 20 June. After a beachhead was secured, "Kenmore" remained in the area until 8 July unloading cargo and equipment. Throughout the summer she transported troops among the Marshalls, Marianas, and Hawaii. Reclassified AK-221 on 20 August, "Kenmore" stood out of Honolulu 25 September with cargo and reinforcements for the Palau Islands via Eniwetok, arriving Kossal Roads 29 October. She continued supplying the Pacific Islands with men and equipment for the next 6 months. The cargo ship departed Ulithi 20 April with reinforcements needed for the Okinawa campaign, arriving there 6 days later.

In the closing days of the war, "Kenmore" shuttled troops between California and the Pacific Islands, insuring the already inevitable victory. When hostilities ended 15 August, "Kenmore" was assigned to Operation Magic Carpet duty. She made two cruises between the Islands, China, and San Francisco arriving with her final group 15 December.

"Kenmore" remained in San Francisco, California, and decommissioned there 1 February 1946. She was delivered to the War Shipping Administration the same day for return to her owner. Her name reverted to SS "James H. McClintock".

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

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/k2/kenmore.htm

External links

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