USS Mifflin (APA-207)

USS ''Mifflin'' (APA-207) was a in service with the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. She was scrapped in 1975.

History

''Mifflin'' was of the VC2-S-AP5 Victory ship design type and was named for Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. She was laid down 15 May 1944, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 555, by Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard No. 2, Richmond, California; launched 7 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Alma De Brettville Sprecies; acquired from MARCOM on loan-charter; commissioned 11 October 1944.

Pacific War

After shakedown cruise, shakedown, ''Mifflin'' embarked 1,100 troops and sailed to Pearl Harbor. Exchanging her initial passengers for members of the 4th Marine Division (United States), 4th Marine Division, she continued amphibious exercises off Maui, until ordered to Saipan 27 January 1945.

Invasion of Iwo Jima

On 19 February, her boats landed the 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines and their Shore Party, B Co 133 NCB—4th Marine Division on beach "Yellow 2", Iwo Jima. She remained almost a week to offload priority, then request cargo, and to take on board battle casualties. This included her own, for the ship's beach party was hard hit the first day suffering 14 wounded and three missing.KXII Channel 12: Iwo Jima Vet
/ref> ''Mifflin'' also sustained a shell hit on her 40mm gun director before retiring with the wounded to Saipan on 28 February.

Invasion of Okinawa

Having replaced lost equipment and boats, she sailed 16 March, to nearby Tinian to practice for the invasion of Okinawa. In position for this last great assault, on 1 and 2 April, her boats feinted a landing of 2d Division Marines on the southeastern shore to lessen opposition to the main effort on the western beaches.

Again returning her Marines to Saipan, she remained until early June. Steaming to the New Hebrides, ''Mifflin'' loaded stores which she discharged 30 June, at Guam. Independence Day (United States), Independence Day, she weighed anchor for San Francisco with a small passenger list and a need for repairs. Two months later, when she returned to the western Pacific to disembark 1,600 US Army replacement troops at Manila, Philippines, the war had ceased. ''Mifflin'' reloaded with men of the 33rd Infantry Division (United States), 33rd Infantry Division assigned to occupation duty and arrived Wakayama, Japan, 25 September. The next month, over 1,000 troops of the 24th Infantry Division (United States), 24th Infantry Division were transported from Mindanao, Philippines, to Okajama, Japan. Sailing to Okinawa 30 October, she engaged in Operation Magic Carpet, "Magic Carpet" duty from November to March 1946, returning additional thousands of veterans to San Francisco.

Decommissioning and fate

Inactivation soon began with ''Mifflin'' placed out of service in reserve 5 July 1946, assigned to the United States Navy reserve fleets#Former fleets, 19th Fleet, Stockton, California. Struck from the Naval Register 1 October 1958, she was returned to MARCOM the same day. Assigned to the National Defense Reserve Fleet, she was berthed as Suisun Bay, California, into 1969. She was sold under a "non-transportation use" (NTU) contract to West Waterway Lumber Company, 17 July 1975, for $128,009. She was transferred out of the fleet 6 August 1975.

Awards

''Mifflin'' received two Battle star#Navy warships, battle stars for World War II service.

Notes

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Bibliography

Online resources
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External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mifflin (APA-207)
Mifflin County, Pennsylvania
Haskell-class attack transports
Ships built in Richmond, California
1944 ships
Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet
Pacific Reserve Fleet, Stockton Group