USS Cullman (APA-78)

USS "Cullman" (APA-78) was a "Gilliam"-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II. Commissioned late in the war, she was initially assigned to transport duties and consequently did not participate in combat operations.

"Cullman" was named after a county in Alabama. She was launched 17 November 1944 by Consolidated Steel at Wilmington, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; transferred to the Navy 24 January 1945; and commissioned the next day, Lieutenant Commander W. B. Dell, USNR, in command.

Operational history

Departing San Francisco 23 March 1945, "Cullman" arrived at Pearl Harbor 29 March and operated in training and inter-island transport duties until 6 July when she sailed for San Diego. Embarking troops and cargo "Cullman" sailed 20 July for calls at Eniwetok and Ulithi on her way to Batangas Bay, Luzon, arriving shortly after the end of hostilities on 20 August. She loaded occupation troops, landed her Army passengers at Tokyo Bay from 2 to 4 September, and arrived at Okinawa 7 September.

Transporting occupation troops

"Cullman" made one voyage to Guam, then landed Marines at Taku Bar, China, for the reoccupation of northern China between 30 September and 6 October. Sailing by way of Manila, she lifted Chinese troops from Hong Kong to Taku and Tsingtao in two voyages from 24 October to 21 November.

Operation Magic Carpet

"Cullman" then joined Operation Magic Carpet, the giant operation tasked with bringing returning servicemen home to the United States for discharge. She embarked homeward-bound servicemen at Manila for San Francisco, arriving 16 December 1945. She made a second "Magic Carpet" voyage to Okinawa between 10 January and 15 February 1946.

Decommission

"Cullman" then returned to San Fransico where she was decommissioned 22 May 1946 and transferred to the War Shipping Administration 30 June 1946 for disposal. She was sold for scrap in August 1965.

References

* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/apa78.htm "Cullman" (APA-78)] , DANFS Online.
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03078.htm APA-78 "Cullman"] , Navsource Online.