USS Hendry (APA-118)

USS "Hendry" (APA-118) was a sclass|Haskell|attack transport of the US Navy that was built and served in World War II. She was of the VC2-S-AP5 Victory ship design type. She was named after Hendry County, Florida.

World War II service

"Hendry" was launched under Maritime Commission contract 24 June 1944 by California Shipbuilding Company, Wilmington, California; sponsored by Mrs. James K. Herbert ; acquired by the Navy and commissioned 29 September 1944, Captain R. C. Welles in command.

Following a rigorous shakedown cruise "Hendry" sailed 23 October for Pearl Harbor, arriving 29 October. The transport then took part in extended amphibious training operations, designed to bring assault forces and ship's crews to a peak of readiness for the climactic operations ahead in the Pacific. She departed 11 December with troops to Midway, returning 9 days later, and got underway again 27 January, this time for the giant invasion of Iwo Jima. "Hendry" arrived Saipan to join the invasion fleet 11 February, and departed 16 February for Iwo Jima. Her troops were among the initial invasion forces early on the morning of 19 February, and for the 6 days that followed "Hendry" unloaded troops and supplies on the beaches, retiring at night under escort protection. Her gunners were busy during this dangerous period; Japanese planes succeeded in sinking escort carrier USS|Bismarck Sea|CVE-95 and damaging USS|Saratoga|CV-3 but suffered heavy losses. "Hendry" sailed for Saipan 25 February, arriving 3 days later.

"Hendry" remained in the Saipan area until late March, taking part in training for the largest amphibious operation of the Pacific, the capture of Okinawa in Japan's back yard. She sailed 27 March as part of a mighty armada, called by British observers "the most audacious and complex enterprise yet undertaken by the American amphibious forces." Arriving Easter Sunday, the morning of the first landings, "Hendry" put ashore her troops and for the next 10 days survived fierce kamikaze attacks, which took a heavy toll on American transports and escort vessels in the Okinawa area but were themselves destroyed and did not even check the steady progress of the invasion. Her gunners and those of the supporting ships kept "Hendry" free from damage until she departed the bitterly contested island 10 April.

After her arrival at Saipan 14 April, the transport sailed to Tulagi, Espiritu Santo, Eniwetok, and Guam, with troop contingents, departing Guam 21 July 1945 for the United States. She arrived San Pedro 6 August and after the surrender sailed 26 August for the western Pacific. "Hendry" embarked occupation troops at Manila and Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, in late September, and arrived Nagoya, Japan, 7 October. After unloading she sailed again for the United States arriving San Francisco via the Philippines 21 November. On this voyage she was a unit of "Magic Carpet," participating in the gigantic task of bringing home veterans of the Pacific war. After a voyage to Pearl Harbor and return, the ship departed San Diego for the East Coast 14 January 1946, arrived 30 January at Norfolk and decommissioned 21 February. "Hendry" was placed in the Maritime Commission's National Defense Reserve Fleet on the James River.

Fate

Between 4 April and 29 June .

All that remains of "Hendry" is her [http://www.pmars.imsg.com/%5CArtifact%5CArtifact.asp?Artifact=3161 brass builder's plate] .

Awards

"Hendry" received two battle stars for World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-h/apa118.htm US Naval Historical Center photo(s) of "Hendry"]