USS Lycoming (APA-155)

USS "Lycoming" (APA-155) was a "Haskell"-class attack transport acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II for the task of transporting troops to and from combat areas.

"Lycoming" ("APA 155") was laid down 30 May 1944 by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, Oregon, under a Maritime Commission contract; launched 25 July 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Schuyler N. Pyne, wife of Captain (later Rear Admiral) Pyne; acquired by the Navy and commissioned at Astoria, Oregon, 20 September 1944, Comdr. D. B. Coleman in command.

World War II service

After shakedown off the U.S. West Coast, "Lycoming" sailed into Seattle, Washington, 1 November 1944 to serve as a training ship for new attack transport crews. Testing her own training, she departed the U.S. West Coast, with 1,411 troops embarked, for Pearl Harbor and the western Pacific Ocean. Arriving Leyte, Philippine Islands, 24 February, she was assigned to Transport Squadron 13 which was already rehearsing for the Okinawa invasion. Despite enemy kamikaze attacks she debarked 1,294 officers and men of the Army’s 7th Division Artillery with their ordnance and supplies on this enemy bastion between 1 and 5 April. Her mission accomplished, she returned to the United States 11 May for additional troops.

Landing troops and equipment in the Philippines

Within a week 1,200 additional men were on their way to Manila. After her arrival 12 June "Lycoming" was temporarily transferred to the U.S. 7th Fleet to relocate troops from New Guinea to the Philippines. Released after one voyage, she sailed back to San Francisco, California, arriving 3 August.

End-of-war operations

"Lycoming" was at sea headed for the Marianas with Army troops when Japan surrendered 2 September. Reaching Saipan 9 September, she was assigned to task force TF 54 transporting occupation troops to Japan. With her quarters filled with 2d Division Marines. she sailed with 20 other transports for a peaceful debarkation at Nagasaki, Japan, 23 September. Her final voyages were made as part of the “Operation Magic Carpet” fleet. Embarking 2,400 veterans in the New Hebrides and New Caledonia, she landed them at San Francisco 13 November. By mid December, "Lycoming" embarked 2,013 officers and men at Okinawa and proceeded homeward arriving Seattle, Washington, early in January 1946.

Post-war decommissioning

The veteran transport arrived Norfolk, Virginia, 9 February, decommissioned 14 March 1946, and was returned to War Shipping Administration (WSA) on the 21st. "Lycoming" entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet and was berthed in James River, Virginia. She was later struck from the Navy List on (date unknown) and presumed to hve been some for scrap (date unknown).

Military awards and honors

"Lycoming" received one battle star for World War II service.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l33/lycoming.htm USS Lycoming]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03155.htm NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive - APA-155 Lycoming]