USS Burleigh (APA-95)

USS "Burleigh" (APA-106) was a sclass|Bayfield|attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

"Burleigh" (named after Burleigh County, North Dakota), was launched 3 December 1943 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi under a Maritime Commission contract, and placed in reduced commission 1 April 1944. She was taken to New York and placed out of commission 13 April for conversion by Bethlehem Steel, 56th St. Yard, Brooklyn, N. Y. The ship was placed in full commission 30 October 1944, Commander D. G. Greenlee in command.

Operational history

On 3 December 1944 "Burleigh" departed Hampton Roads Virginia, and proceeded to the Pacific arriving at Pearl Harbor on 23 December. She became flagship of Transport Squadron 18 at San Francisco 3 January 1945. During January and February "Burleigh" transported passengers and supplies to Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, and the Russell Islands.

Okinawa

March 1945 was spent at Ulithi, Caroline Islands, in preparation for the assault on Okinawa. "Burleigh" departed Ulithi, in company with Transport Squadron 18, 27 March and arrived off Okinawa 1 April. She remained in the area disembarking Marines and supplies until 10 April when she got underway for Pearl Harbor. She arrived at Pearl Harbor 27 April, after stopping at Guam to embark casualties.

Returning to San Francisco 4 June, "Burleigh" embarked troops and supplies and steamed to Guam via Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, and Saipan. She returned to San Francisco 2 August.

Operation Magic Carpet

With the cessation of hostilities "Burleigh" was assigned to the Operation Magic Carpet fleet returning veterans from the Pacific until March 1946. On 15 March 1946 she departed the West Coast for Norfolk, where she arrived 3 April. She was decommissioned 11 June 1946 and returned to the Maritime Commission the following day.

Burleigh received one battle star for her World War II service.

References

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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03095.htm APA-95 "Burleigh"] , Navsource Online
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/apa95.htm "Burleigh"] , Hazegray.org