USS President Jackson (APA-18) was a President Jackson-class attack transport that saw service with the US Navy in World War II and the Korean War. She was the lead ship in her class.
USS President Jackson (T-APA-18)(1949-1955)
USS President Jackson (APA-18) (1943 - 1949)
USS President Jackson (AP-37) (1942 - 1943)
Laid down, 2 October 1939, as Maritime Commission type (C3 P & C) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 53) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Corp. Newport News VA.
Launched, 7 June 1940
Delivered to American President Lines, 25 October 1940
Acquired by the Navy, 30 June 1941
Commissioned USS President Jackson (AP-37), 16 January 1942, CDR. Charles W. Weitzel USN in command
Reclassified Attack Transport(APA-18), 1 February 1943
During WWII USS President Jackson was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater:
TransRon Eleven, COMO. D.W. Loomis USN (18);
Transferred to Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) control, 22 October 1949, redesignated (T-AP-18)
Decommissioned, 6 July 1955, at San Francisco Naval Shipyard
Struck from the Naval Register, 1 October 1958
USS President Jackson earned nine battle stars for World War II service and four battle stars for Korean War service
Transferred to the Maritime Commission, 1 December 1958, for disposal
Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 23 April 1973, to N.W. Kennedy Ltd. (Canada), % Mitsui & Co. (PD-X-957 dated 15 March 1973) for $467,390.00. Delivered 15 May 1973
Specifications: Displacement 9,500 t.(lt), 16,000 t.(fl) Length 491' Beam 69' 6" Draft 26' 6" Speed 18.4 kts (trial) Complement
35 Officers
477 Enlisted Troop Accommodations
70 Officers
1,312 Enlisted Flag Accommodations
Officers 8 Largest Boom Capacity 30t. Cargo Capacity 6,800 DWT
non-refrigerated 185,000 Cu. ft. Armament
four single 3"/50 dual purpose guns
two twin 40mm AA gun mounts
three single 40mm AA gun mounts
twelve single 20mm AA gun mounts Boats
thirty-two LCVPs
three LCM(3) Fuel Capacities
NSFO 10,950 Bbls.
Diesel 800 Bbls Propulsion
one Newport News Shipbuilding geared turbine drive
two Babcock and Wilcox header-type boilers, 450psi 750°
double Westinghouse Main Reduction Gear
Ships Service Generators, four 300Kw 120V/240V D.C.
single propeller, designed shaft horsepower 8,500
Occupation Duty Dates:
15 to 20 July 1946
24 July to 11 August 1946
27 July to 12 August 1947
15 to 21 September 1947
20 to 26 December 1947
8 to 11 August 1949
30 August to 4 September 1949
13 to 16 November 1949
China Service Dates:
21 to 22 July 1946
27 July to 12 August 1947
8 to 15 September 1947
Description
Guam, ringed by reefs, cliffs, and heavy surf, presents a formidable challenge for an attacker. But despite the obstacles, on 21 July, the Americans landed on both sides of the Orote peninsula on the western side of Guam, planning to cut off the airfield. The 3rd Marine Division landed near Agana to the north of Orote at 08:28, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 LVTs, and inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans, especially on the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, but by 09:00 men and tanks were ashore at both beaches. The 77th Infantry Division had a more difficult landing. Lacking amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the edge of the reef where they were dropped by their landing craft. The men stationed in the two beachheads were pinned down by heavy Japanese fire, making initial progress inland quite slow.
US Marines move inland.
By nightfall, the Americans had established beachheads about 6,600 feet (2,000 m) deep.[1] Japanese counterattacks were made throughout the first few days of the battle, mostly at night, using infiltration tactics. Several times, they penetrated the American defenses and were driven back with heavy loss of men and equipment. Lieutenant General Takeshi Takashina was killed on 28 July, and Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata took over the command of the defenders.
Supply was very difficult[2] for the Americans in the first days of the battle. Landing ships could not come closer than the reef, several hundred yards from the beach, and amphibious vehicles were scarce. However, the two beachheads were joined up on 25 July, and the Orote airfield and Apra harbor were captured by 30 July.
The counterattacks against the American beachheads, as well as the fierce fighting, had exhausted the Japanese. At the start of August, they were running out of food and ammunition and had only a handful of tanks left. Obata withdrew his troops from the south of Guam, planning to make a stand in the mountainous central and northern part of the island. But with resupply and reinforcement impossible because of American control of the sea and air around Guam, he could hope to do no more than delay the inevitable defeat for a few days.
Rain and thick jungle made conditions difficult for the Americans, but after an engagement at Mount Barrigada from 2-4 August, the Japanese line collapsed; the rest of the battle was a pursuit to the north. As in other battles of the Pacific War, the Japanese refused to surrender, and almost all were killed. On 10 August, after three weeks of combat, organized Japanese resistance ended, and Guam was declared secure. The next day, Obata committed ritual suicide.
