USS Leedstown (APA-56)

USS "Leedstown" (APA-56) was a "Windsor"-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

"Leedstown" (APA-56) was laid down as "Exchequer" by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation of Baltimore, Maryland on 26 August 1942; classified AP-101 and renamed "Wood" 5 October 1942; reclassified APA-56 1 February 1943; launched 13 February; renamed "Leedstown" 17 March 1943; and commissioned 16 July 1943, Comdr. Harold Bye in command.

Operational history

World War II

"Leedstown" arrived at Norfolk, Virginia 16 July 1943 for amphibious training in Chesapeake Bay with units of the U.S. Army. She departed Norfolk, 11 December for the Pacific, arriving Honolulu New Year’s Eve 1943.

Invasion of the Marshall Islands

The ship sailed from Honolulu 22 January bringing troops to Kwajalein 31 January for the invasion of the Marshall Islands, a major step in the Navy’s mighty island hopping campaign which relentlessly pushed Japan back to her home islands and defeat. After the Marshalls were secured, she departed Kwajalein 5 February and spent the next 3 months transporting supplies and reinforcements to the Solomon and Marshall Islands.

Invasion of Guam

From 10 to 28 May, the ship was at Tulagi, training for the amphibious assault on Guam. Sailing 12 June, she debarked her troops in the resistless assault on Guam, 21 July. "Leedstown" cared for 270 battle casualties, and departed 5 August for Guadalcanal, returning many of the wounded for hospitalization.

Invasion of Pelelius

The busy APA rehearsed for the next operation and departed Guadalcanal 8 September for the invasion of Peleliu 15 to 20 September. During this operation, she repaired numerous landing craft and cared for a total of 326 casualties.

Invasion of Leyte

On 13 October, she sailed from Honolulu as a unit of TF 78, Central Philippine Attack Force, for the attack on Leyte Island, 20 October. On 14 November, she brought reinforcements to this crucial battle zone and then departed for New Guinea 29 November.

Invasions of Luzon and Iwo Jima

She then participated in the landings at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, 9 January, and Iwo Jima 22 February 1944. "Leedstown" spent the remainder of the war engaged in training operations and transportation duties in the Pacific.

After hostilities

After the conclusion of hostilities, she participated in two Operation Magic Carpet missions to San Francisco and Seattle, bringing demobilizing troops home from the war.

Decommission and awards

She last entered Seattle in March 1946, decommissioned 7 March and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal 1 July 1946. "Leedstown" was awarded six battle stars for World War II service.

Commercial service

"Leedstown" was sold to the Shepard Steam Ship Company in 1947 and renamed "Minute Man". Later, she was sold to American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines and renamed "Exilona". The ship was scrapped in April 1970.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l5/leedstown-ii.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03056.htm APA-56 "Leedstown"] , Navsource Online.