USS Tantalus (ARL-27) was one of 39 Achelous-class landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II.

Following her conversion into a landing craft repair ship at Jacksonville, Florida by the Gibbs Engine Works, she conducted her shakedown cruise in the Hampton Roads area.

She arrived at Coco Solo on 29 July; was assigned to Service Forces, Pacific Fleet; and then was ordered to proceed via San Diego to Hawaii.

Tantalus stood out of San Diego on 14 August as whistles and sirens of the city proclaimed the Japanese surrender.

Tantalus was decommissioned in China on 18 January 1947 and released to the Foreign Liquidation Commission for further transfer to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration for disposal.