- USS La Porte (APA-151)
USS La "Porte" (APA-151) was a "Haskell"-class
attack transport acquired by theU.S. Navy duringWorld War II for the task of transporting troops to and from combat areas."La Porte" ("APA-151") was laid down under a
Maritime Commission contract15 May 1944 by Oregon Shipbuilding Group,Portland, Oregon ; launched30 June 1944 ; sponsored by Mrs. Charles N. Niles; and commissioned14 August 1944 , Comdr. Marion C. Thompson in command.World War II service
After shakedown, "La Porte" departed
San Francisco, California ,22 October 1944 to join thePacific amphibious forces . ArrivingMilne Bay 8 November for training operations, theattack transport sailed from Manus2 January 1945 forLuzon . "La Porte" steamed intoLingayen Gulf 9 days later and debarked troops and equipment despite attacks of enemy aircraft. Her mission completed, she returnedLeyte 16 January to prepare for theinvasion of Okinawa .Under attack, landing troops on Okinawa
Loaded with 1,500 troops, "La Porte" departed San Pedro Bay
27 March as part of the largest amphibious operation of thePacific war . Troops hit the beach1 April to begin the invasion which placed an Allied garrison next door to Japan. Two days later akamikaze dived at the sitting transport, but accurate fleetantiaircraft fire splashed the raider before he reached his mark. DepartingOkinawa 5 April "La Porte" arrived San Francisco 3 weeks later for a brief replenishment period.End-of-war operations
Returning to
Ie Shima 14 July , the transport unloaded 1,300 Army Engineer replacements before she once again sailed for theUnited States . She arrived San Francisco10 August : and, after hostilities with Japan ended, "La Porte" prepared for occupation duty in theFar East . With 1,146 replacements on board, the transport departed San Francisco for the Far East and debarked troops atLeyte 15 September . During the next 2 months,La Porte operated in the westernPacific Ocean , transferring troops into the occupied territories of Japan and liberated areas ofChina . She embarked homeward bound servicemen and sailed fromManila 25 November , arrivingSeattle, Washington , 3 weeks later.Post-war decommissioning
"La Porte" arrived
Norfolk, Virginia ,14 February 1946 and decommissioned there25 March 1946 . She was returned toWar Shipping Administration (WSA) 3 days later. She was placed in theNational Defense Reserve Fleet and was berthed atJames River, Virginia . She was struck from theNavy list on (date unknown) and is presumed scrapped (date unknown).Military awards and honors
The U.S.S. La Porte received two battle stars in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and one battle star in the Philippine Liberation Theater for World War II service.
References: From a report complied by Elliott L Brainard, Ens D, USNR, from the writing of our Skipper, Marion C Thompson, Captain, US Navy, at Anchorage "C", Hampton Roads, Virginia, and from 6-2-47 Stencil, Ships Section, Office of Public Information, Navy Department
References
See also
*
List of United States Navy ships
*World War II External links
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l1/la_porte.htm USS La Porte]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03151.htm NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive - APA-151 La Porte]
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