USS Fallon (APA-81)

USS "Fallon" (APA-81) 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.

"Fallon" was named after a county in Montana. She was launched 14 December 1944 by Consolidated Steel at Wilmington, California, and commissioned 14 February 1945, Commander W. L. Phinney, USNR, in command.

Operational history

World War II

"Fallon" sailed from San Pedro 12 April 1945 for Pearl Harbor, her base from 21 April to 22 May on two voyages to the Marshalls, Marianas, and Gilberts with garrison troops. She returned to the west coast 28 May, made another voyage to Honolulu and Eniwetok carrying soldiers, and arrived at Pearl Harbor once more 9 August.

After hostilities

At Pearl, "Fallon" loaded Marines, whom she landed at Sasebo, Japan, for occupation duty 22 September.

The attack transport carried servicemen eligible for discharge from Okinawa and Sasebo to San Diego between 23 September and 29 October 1945, then made another voyage to the Philippines to return veterans.

Operation Crossroads

At San Francisco from 5 January 1946 to 16 February, and then at Pearl Harbor, she was prepared for use as a target ship in Operation Crossroads, the atomic weapons tests at Bikini Atoll. She reached the Marshalls 28 May, and after the experiments, was towed to Kwajalein for study.

Decommisson

Decommissioned 20 September 1946, she was sunk off Kwajalein on 11 March 1948.

References

* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/apa81.htm "Fallon" (APA-81)] , DANFS Online.
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03081.htm APA-81 "Fallon"] , Navsource Online.