- USS Stratford (AP-41)
USS Stratford (AK-45/AP-41) was a "Stratford"-class
transport commissioned by theU.S. Navy for service inWorld War II . She was responsible for delivering military personnel and equipment to ships and stations in the war zone."Stratford" (AP-41), ex-SS "Catherine", was built in
1918 by theManitowoc Shipbuilding Company ofManitowoc, Wisconsin ; acquired by the Navy on31 July 1941 ; and commissioned on25 August 1941 atBaltimore, Maryland .World War II service
After completing her shakedown in the
Chesapeake Bay area, "Stratford" sailed fromNorfolk, Virginia , on23 October , forIceland , viaNew York andNova Scotia . She arrived atReykjavík on16 November 1941 and operated there until25 March 1942 when she returned to Boston, Massachusetts. The transport made another cruise to Iceland and returned toBoston, Massachusetts , on27 June . She was ordered to proceed toCalifornia , via Norfolk,Key West, Florida ,Guantánamo Bay , and thePanama Canal Zone ."Stratford" arrived at
San Pedro, California , on28 August ; loaded passengers; and sailed forHawaii three days later. She arrived there on the 11th and sailed the following week forSamoa . The transport remained in the South Pacific until April1945 . She shuttled troops and cargo from rear areas to advance bases and; as the Americans penetrated further into the Pacific, her ports of call increased. In addition to ports inNew Zealand andNew Caledonia , "Stratford" also operated in the Solomon, Treasury, St. Matthias,New Hebrides , Russell, andTreasury Islands as well as ports inNew Guinea ."Stratford" arrived at
Leyte on2 April 1945 and operated in thePhilippine Islands until1 December when she sailed for theUnited States , viaEniwetok andPearl Harbor .Decommission
The transport arrived at
San Pedro, California , in January1946 and remained there until sailing for the east coast on7 March . "Stratford" reachedNorfolk, Virginia , on7 March and reported to the5th Naval District for disposition. She departed there on3 April and headed forBaltimore, Maryland , where she had originally entered naval service. "Stratford" was decommissioned there on17 April and returned to theWar Shipping Administration on the same day. She was struck from theNavy list on1 May 1946 .Military awards and honors
"Stratford" received one battle star for
World War II service.Her crew was eligible for the following medals:
* American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet clasp)
* American Campaign Medal
* Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1)
* World War II Victory Medal
* Philippines Liberation MedalReferences
See also
*
List of United States Navy ships
*World War II External links
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/22/22041.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AK-45 / AP-41 Stratford]
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