USS Montour (APA-101)

USS "Montour" (APA-101) was a sclass|Bayfield|attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

"Montour" was laid down under Maritime Commission Contract 20 October 1943 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi; launched 10 March 1944; acquired by the Navy on a load charter basis and placed in partial commission 9 June 1944 to steam to Brooklyn, New York, for conversion by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation; and commissioned at New York 9 December 1944, Captain James H. Thatch, Jr., in command.

Operational history

Transport missions

Following shakedown in Chesapeake Bay, "Montour" sailed for Hawaii, arriving Pearl Harbor 1 February 1945. Three days later, she proceeded to San Pedro, California, where she reported for yard work. Between 26 March and 1 August, she made two voyages to the Marianas. She embarked troops at San Francisco 11 August, and sailed for the Philippines, arriving San Pedro Bay, Leyte, on 5 September.

Occupation and demobilization missions

Assigned to transport troops destined for occupation duty in Japan, "Montour" departed Lingayen Gulf, arriving at Wakayama Ko, Honshū, 7 October. "Montour" debarked soldiers at Ise Wan, Honshū 27 October, and then reported for duty with the Operation Magic Carpet fleet for the next four months. She made two voyages from Okinawa to the West Coast, disembarking troops at Portland and San Francisco.

Decommissioning

Returning to the East Coast, she decommissioned at Norfolk, Virginia, 19 April 1946. Delivered to the War Shipping Administration 23 April, "Montour" was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 8 May.

Commercial service

"Montour" was sold into commercial service in 1947, and scrapped in 1977.

References

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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03101.htm APA-101 "Montour"] , Navsource Online