USS Natrona (APA-214)

USS "Natrona" (APA-214) was a sclass|Haskell|attack transport that saw service with the US Navy in World War II.

"Natrona" was named after Natrona County, Wyoming. She was laid down as MC hull 562 under Maritime Commission contract on 30 June 1944 by the Permanente Metals Corporation of Richmond, California; launched 27 September 1944; and acquired and commissioned by the Navy on 8 November 1944, Capt. Eric E. Winquist in command.

Operational history

World War II

Following shakedown off Southern California, "Natrona" sailed for Hawaii 3 January 1945, as a unit of Transport Squadron 17. At Pearl Harbor, she debarked Marines, loaded men and equipment of the 806th Engineering Battalion, and continued her westward passage on the 16th. By 1 February, she reached Saipan, debarked her passengers and cargo, and sailed to Ulithi.

Invasion of Okinawa

At Ulithi, "Natrona" took on marine night fighters and sailed for Leyte to prepare for operation "Iceberg", the invasion of the Ryūkyūs. On 21 March, "Natrona", with marine night fighters and 77th Infantry Division men and equipment on board, departed Dulag in TG 51.1. Early on the 26th, she arrived off Kerama Retto and proceeded to area "Jig".

At 0539, she lowered away nine wave guide boats, then moved to "Transport Area Fox" where, at 0705, she had her first experience with Japanese kamikazes. After that air attack she moved to "Inner Transport Area George" to commence discharging her cargo of fuel and ammunition into small craft. At 1951, she proceeded to the night retirement area. Until the 30th, "Natrona" continued daylight replenishment of small craft in area "George", with nightly retirements.

On 1 April, Okinawa was invaded and on the 2nd the Kerama Retto anchorage was the scene of a 13 hour battle against suicide planes, swimmers and boats. On the 6th, the anchorage was subjected to its most severe kamikaze attack, during which "Natrona" bagged her first unassisted kill. On the 7th, she completed unloading 77th Division cargo. The following day, she crossed to the Hagushi Beach area of Okinawa to debark the Marine night fighters and then returned to Kerama Retto to transport the C.O., General Bruce and staff of the 77th Division to the same location.

Between 14 April and 10 July, "Natrona" remained anchored at Kerama Retto, serving as station and receiving ship. She also acted as Fleet Post Office, headquarters for ComDesRon 2 and ComRepDesPac, Fleet Replacement Center, Fog Oil coordinator and distributor, and subsistence center for crews of damaged and sunken ships. On 10 July, the transport shifted to Buckner Bay and, on the 15th, departed for the U.S., a veteran of 16 weeks and 208 air attacks in Okinawan waters.

After hostilities

"Natrona" arrived San Francisco 5 August. Celebrating the end of the war there, she got underway again on the 20th on the first of two extended transpacific runs carrying replacement troops to forward areas, occupation troops to Japan and returning veterans to the United States. On 13 January 1946, she completed her second cruise at San Pedro.

Decommission

Moving to Mare Island, she underwent inactivation overhaul, and on 29 July decommissioned and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Stockton, California. She remained at Stockton until struck from the Navy List and transferred to the Maritime Administration 1 October 1958. "Natrona" was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, California, until being sold for scrap in March 1975.

Decorations

"Natrona" received one battle star for World War II service.

References

* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/apa214.txt "Natrona" (APA-214)] , DANFS Online
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03214.htm APA-214 "Natrona"] , Navsource Online