USS Elmore (APA-42)

USS "Elmore" (APA-42) was a sclass|Bayfield|attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

"Elmore" (AP-87) was launched 29 January 1943 as "Sea Panther" by Ingalls Shipbuilding of Pascagoula, Mississippi, under a Maritime Commission contract, reclassified (APA-42) on 1 February; transferred to the Navy 30 March and placed in partial commission the same day for ferry to Maryland Dry Dock Company, Baltimore for conversion, and commissioned in full 25 August 1943 Commander D. Harrison in command.

Operational history

Marshall Islands

"Elmore" sailed from San Diego 13 January 1944 and landed troops and equipment in the initial assault on the Marshalls 31 January 1944. In early February she reported to the 3d Fleet at Funafuti, Ellice Islands.

Emirau Island and Guadalcanal

After training in the Solomons, she took part in landings on Emirau Island 11 April, and carried troops between Guadalcanal and New Guinea until 3 June. On the 4th she got underway for invasion of the Marianas.

Guam and the Palaus

"Elmore" landed troops in the assault on Guam 21 July 1944 and remained to embark casualties whom she carried to Eniwetok. She returned to the Solomons for training, then saw action in the first wave against the Palaus 15 September.

Casualties at Leyte

"Elmore" staged at Hollandia for the coming Philippine invasion and sailed 13 October for the Leyte assault a week later. Landing troops and cargo under heavy fire, "Elmore" lost one killed and five wounded.

Luzon

Returning to Manus and New Guinean ports, "Elmore" prepared for the northern Luzon assault. On 9 January 1945 she was in Lingayen Gulf for the initial landings. She remained to support the fighters ashore, and on 29 January landed troops without opposition near San Felipe. She returned to Leyte in February to be mother ship for the boat pool and to direct unloading of merchant ships.

Okinawa

"Elmore" sailed from Leyte 27 March 1945 for the invasion of Okinawa on 1 April. Four days after the assault she carried casualties to Guam, continuing to Seattle for overhaul. She was on her way back when the war ended and upon arrival at Leyte 30 August was assigned to redeploy troops through the Philippines.

After hostilities

"Elmore" made two voyages to Japan to land occupation troops at Wakayama and Mitsugahama, then returned to the States on "Magic Carpet" duty with servicemen eligible for discharge. After a voyage on the same duty to the Philippines from November 1945 to January 1946, she was decommissioned at Mobile, Alabama, 13 March, and returned to the Maritime Commission for sale 15 May 1946.

Elmore received eight battle stars for World War II service.

Commercial service

After decommissioning, "Elmore"'s name reverted to "Sea Panther" when she was leased in 1946 for commercial service. In 1947 she was renmaed "China Transport". In 1958 she was renamed "Oregon" and in 1960 was again renamed, to "Idaho".

The vessel was returned to the Maritime Administration in 1966 and scrapped at Portland, Oregon in 1971.

References

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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03042.htm AP-87 APA-42 "Elmore"] , Navsource Online