USS Haskell

USS Haskell (APA-117) was the lead ship of her class of attack transports, built for the United States Navy during World War II.

Haskell sailed via Mios Woendi to Noemfoor Island, 23 November-2 December, where preparations were underway for the important landings at Lingayen Gulf, Philippines.

At staging areas throughout the western Pacific ships such as Haskell loaded troops and made practice landings prior to the actual assault.

A part of Rear Admiral Conolly's reinforcement echelon, Haskell and the other transports arrived off Lingayen Gulf 11 January 2 days after the initial landings.

Haskell was a member of Rear Admiral Hall's Southern Attack Force, and debarked units of the 7th Division with their equipment during the first waves of the assault.

After unloading her troops and cargo, the transport sailed 6 April for Saipan, Marianas, thus escaping the heavy Japanese air counterattacks so valiantly endured by the ships remaining at Okinawa.

Arriving 9 June 1945, the ship began a series of transport voyages to various ports in the Pacific, providing men and cargo at Guadalcanal, Eniwetok, and Guam.

While Haskell loaded at Seattle the war ended, and she assumed a new role, that of bringing occupation troops to the Pacific and transporting returnees to the United States.

Soon afterward, 16 September, the ship was forced to put to sea to ride out the giant typhoon which swept the area and after 2 days of grueling heavy weather returned to Okinawa.