USS Adair

USS Adair (APA-91) was a Windsor-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

Adair in camouflage paint, c. 1944
History
United States
Name: USS Adair (APA-91)
Namesake: Counties in Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri
Builder: Bethlehem Steel
Launched: 29 February 1944
Sponsored by: Mrs Elsie N. Keefer
Christened: Exchester
Acquired: 15 July 1944
Commissioned: 15 July 1944
Decommissioned: 30 April 1946
Honors and
awards:		 Two battle stars for World War II service
Fate: Scrapped, 1970
General characteristics
Class and type: Windsor-class attack transport
Displacement: 7,970 tons (lt), 13,132 t. (fl)
Length: 473 ft 11 in
Beam: 66 ft
Draft: 25 ft
Propulsion: Bethlehem geared turbine drive, 2 × Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers, single propeller, designed shaft horsepower 8,000
Speed: 18.6 knots
Capacity:
  • Troops: 1,514
  • Cargo: 150,000 cu ft, 1,600 tons
Complement: 555
Armament: 2 × 5"/38 caliber dual-purpose gun mounts, 2 × twin Bofors 40mm gun mounts, 18 × single 20mm gun mounts.
Notes: Maritime Commission Hull No. 594, hull type C3-S-A3

Laid down as Exchester, Adair (APA-91) was named after counties in Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri. She was launched 29 February 1944 by Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard, Sparrows Point, Maryland, under a Maritime Commission contract; transferred to the Navy 15 July 1944; and commissioned the same day, Captain S. P. Comly in command.

World War II

During 1944 and 1945 Adair carried troops and cargo between Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Saipan, Tinian, Ulithi, Hollandia, Manus, and Guam, with two diversions to amphibious duty.

Invasions of Luzon and Okinawa

From 11 to 12 January 1945 she participated in the Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, landings and from 1 to 5 April 1945 in the Invasion of Okinawa.

After hostilities

With the end of World War II, she supported the occupation of Korea (September–October) and China (16–30 December). She also served with the Operation Magic Carpet fleet, returning American servicemen to the United States from the Pacific.

Decommission

Adair reported to Commander, 5th Naval District, 8 March 1946; was decommissioned 30 April 1946; and returned to the Maritime Commission 3 May 1946. She was struck from the Navy Vessel Register on 8 May 1946.

Awards

Adair received two battle stars for her World War II service.

Commercial service

Adair was sold in 1947 to American Export Lines, Inc., New York, who renamed her renamed SS Express. Later, she was sold again to the Mutual Steamship Operating Company. She was scrapped in 1970.

References


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