42 Overview

USS Elmore (APA-42) was a Bayfield-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

Elmore (originally designated AP-87) was launched 29 January 1943 as Sea Panther by Ingalls Shipbuilding of Pascagoula, Mississippi, under a Maritime Commission contract, reclassified (APA-42) on 1 February; transferred to the Navy on 30 March and placed in partial commission the same day for ferry to Maryland Drydock Company, Baltimore for conversion, and commissioned in full on 25 August 1943; Commander Drayton Harrison in command.

Marshall Islands

Elmore sailed from San Diego 13 January 1944 and landed troops and equipment in the initial assault on the Marshalls 31 January 1944. In early February she reported to the 3d Fleet at Funafuti, Ellice Islands.

Emirau Island and Guadalcanal

After training in the Solomons, she took part in the landings on Emirau Island 11 April 1944, and carried troops between Guadalcanal and New Guinea until 3 June. On the 4th she got underway for invasion of the Marianas.

Guam and the Palaus

Elmore landed troops in the assault on Guam 21 July 1944 and remained to embark casualties whom she carried to Eniwetok. She returned to the Solomons for training, then saw action in the first wave against the Palaus 15 September.

Casualties at Leyte

Elmore staged at Hollandia for the coming Philippine invasion and sailed 13 October 1944 for the Leyte assault a week later. Landing troops and cargo under heavy fire, Elmore lost one killed and five wounded.

Luzon

Returning to Manus and New Guinean ports, Elmore prepared for the northern Luzon assault. On 9 January 1945 she was in Lingayen Gulf for the initial landings. She remained to support the fighters ashore, and on 29 January landed troops without opposition near San Felipe. She returned to Leyte in February to be mother ship for the boat pool and to direct unloading of merchant ships.

Okinawa

Elmore sailed from Leyte 27 March 1945 for the invasion of Okinawa on 1 April. Four days after the assault she carried casualties to Guam, continuing to Seattle for overhaul. She was on her way back when the war ended and upon arrival at Leyte 30 August was assigned to redeploy troops through the Philippines.

After Hostilities

Elmore made two voyages to Japan to land occupation troops at Wakayama and Mitsugahama, then returned to the States on "Magic Carpet" duty with servicemen eligible for discharge. After a voyage on the same duty to the Philippines from November 1945 to January 1946, she was decommissioned at Mobile, Alabama, 13 March 1946, and returned to the Maritime Commission for sale 15 May 1946.

Elmore received eight battle stars for service in World War II.

Source: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANSF). The Dictionary (1959-1981) limited itself largely to basic descriptions and brief operational notes, and includes almost no analysis or historical context. Wikipedia uses this source.

On 20 October 1944, Elmore participated in the invasion of Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. Elmore unloaded troops and cargo at San Pedro Gulf. During the day, the ship had five seamen injured as the result of mortar fire from the beach. Coxswain Franklin Burgess, from Indianapolis, IN, was killed in action. He was the only Elmore crew member killed in action and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He was buried at sea.