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
Operation Beleaguer was a major United States military operation that took place in northeastern China's Hopeh and Shantung Provinces between 1945 and 1949. The main objectives of the operation were the repatriation of more than 600,000 Japanese and Koreans, who remained in China after the end of World War II, and the protection of American lives and property. During the course of nearly four years, American forces engaged in several small battles with the Communists, and they were successful in repatriating and evacuating thousands of foreign nationals. The United States government also attempted to mediate a peace treaty with the opposing Nationalist and Communist forces, but the effort was unsuccessful.
