This entailed fitting extra antiaircraft weaponry, providing the ships with an array of amphibious assault craft and the means to deploy them, and other modifications.

The fourth ship in the class, the USS Baxter (APA-94), was designated an attack transport from the outset but still had to go through the same refitting process after being built, which also delayed its commission by about the same length of time.

While the four ships of the class were based on the same hull design, they are listed as having somewhat variable troop and cargo capacities and crews.

The first three arrived in time to participate in much of the American island hopping campaign across the Pacific to its final destination of Japan.

The fourth ship, Baxter, was commissioned about twelve months later but still had time to participate in three campaigns and earn three stars.