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Enroute to Lingayen Gulf

Elmore steaming enroute to Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines (from Aitape, New Guinea) in company with Task Force 78.5, Admiral Daniel E. Barbey, USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2), O.T.C. [Officer-in-Tactical Command] and Fleet Guide.

[On 8 January 1945, a kamikaze broke through heavy antiaircraft fire to crash into the starboard wing of the bridge of USS Callaway (APA-35), a Bayfield-class attack transport. The resulting fires were contained, but 29 of Callaway's crew were killed and 22 wounded. Despite this loss, the Callaway resumed active duty the following day.]

1-9 January 1945
Lingayen Gulf Operation

Elmore anchored in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon (Philippines) and commenced debarking troops and unloading cargo. General quarters to repel enemy air attack. Enemy aircraft [kamikaze] crashed dived on #4 hatch port side of USS DuPage (APA-41), about 3000 yards directly ahead of Elmore, causing fire on deck of DuPage.

10 January 1945
Enroute to Leyte Gulf

Elmore enroute to Leyte Gulf, Philippines in company of various ships of Task Force 79.1.4.12, USS Cavalier (APA-37) O.T.C. [Officer-in-Tactical Command] and USS DuPage (APA-41) Fleet Guide.

11-13 January 1945
Leyte Gulf

Anchored off shore of Abuyog Town, Leyte Gulf, Philippines in berth #15.

13-20 January 1945
Leyte Gulf

Anchored off shore of San Jose, Leyte Gulf, Philippines in berth #15, loading troops and cargo. Flash Red, general quarters, on numerous occasions.

21-26 January 1945
Enroute to San Felipe, Luzon

Elmore enroute to San Felipe, Luzon, Philippines with various units of Task Force 78.3. OTC Admiral Arthur D. Struble in Mount McKinley (AGC-7). USS Harris (APA-2) as Fleet Guide.

27-28 January 1945
San Felipe, Luzon, Operation

Manila Bay - Bicol Operations. Anchored off shore of San Felipe, Luzon, Philippines and unloaded troops and cargo.

29 January 1945
Enroute to Leyte Gulf

Elmore enroute to Leyte Gulf, Philippines with various units of Task Force 78.3.20 OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command] in USS Cavalier (APA-37) with USS Custer (APA-40) as Fleet Guide. Underwater explosion off port bow 3000 yards away. USS Cavalier struck by torpedo [from Japanese submarine RO-115] and dropped out of formation. Engines stopped and steerage was lost. Cavalier was towed by minesweeper USS Rail (AM-26). Cavalier suffered 50 men injured, some flooding, and buckled decks.

30 January 1945
Leyte Gulf

Elmore anchored for logistics, upkeep and repairs in berth #465 San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf. On 8 February, Captain John L. Reynolds relieved Captain Drayton Harrison as commanding officer of USS Elmore. On 14 February shifted anchorage to berth 995. Anchorage shifted again on 1 March to berth 1022. On 6 March, supplies and equipment for the 17th Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division, U.S. Army were loaded. Began embarking personnel on 12 March.

2 February - 13 March 1945
Leyte Gulf

Rehearsal period to carry out Amphibious Group Twelve Training Order A1204-45. Frequent and heavy rain squalls necessitated all navigation by radar.

14-26 March 1945
Enroute to Okinawa

Elmore enroute to Okinawa Shima in company with Task Unit 55.1.2. General quarters to conduct AA [anti-aircraft] practice.

27 March - 1 April 1945
Okinawa Campaign

Elmore arrived at Okinawa Shima. Debarked troops and unloaded cargo. General quarters to repel enemy air attack. Enemy plane dropped bomb on USS Alpine (APA-92), approximately 800 yards from Elmore, on 1 April. Continued to unload troops and cargo to the shore of Okinawa.

1-4 April 1945
Enroute to Guam

Elmore departed Okinawa for Guam, Mariana Islands, carrying casualties from Okinawa operation.

5-8 April 1945
Guam

Arrived Apra Harbor, Guam, Mariana Islands. Moored alongside starboard side of USS LaPorte (APA-151) in berth #8. USS R.H. Smith (DM-23) moored to Elmore's starboard side. Transferred all casualties to hospital, total 11 USMC, 10 U.S. Army and 3 USN.

9-10 April 1945
Enroute to Pearl Harbor

Underway from Apra Harbor, Guam, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in company with ComTransDiv 38 (USS Barnstable APA-93), Captain Andrew R, Mack, USN, and ComTransDiv 42 (USS Neshoba APA-216) OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command]. On 14 April, CTD 38 ordered all line officers, all deck Petty Officers, and all Seamen 1st Class, regardless of assignment, to stand a short trick at the wheel for training purposes. A number of other training activities were also ordered.

9-21 April 1945
Pearl Harbor

Arrived Pearl Harbor. Moored alongside starboard side of USS Sheridan (APA-51) in berth X-6. [This was Elmore's first visit to Pearl Harbor.]

22-23 April 1945
Enroute to Portland, Oregon

Underway from Pearl harbor to Portland, Oregon for a yard overhaul period.

23-24 April 1945
Enroute to Seattle, Washington

Pursuant to Confidential Dispatch 252339 from Navy Yard Puget Sound, changed destination to Seattle, Washington.

25-30 April 1945
Seattle, Washington

Entered Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. Moored alongside Pier #90 in Berth #7, Seattle, Washington. [This was Elmore's first trip back to the States since arriving in the Central Pacific in January 1944 - a period of 16 months.]

30 April 1945
Everett Pacific Shipyard

Elmore unloaded ammunition and proceeded to Everett Pacific Shipyard, Everett, Washington, for an overhaul. Moored port side to Pier E. On 2 May, fifty percent of the officers and men of the Elmore left on leave for a period of 22 days, returning on 24 May. On 26 May, officers and men of the second leave party, comprising 50% of the complement, left on leave for a period of 23 days. Meanwhile, a strike had been called by the 104th Boilermakers Union since 22 May stopping all work on the ship's overhaul. On 1 June, the strike officially ended and workmen returned to the job.

May 1 - 16 July 1945
Naval Supply Depot

Moored starboard side to Pier #91, Naval Supply Depot, Seattle, WA. Elmore loaded ammunition, stores and diesel oil. Shipyard workers aboard finishing up work not completed in the yard.

17-19 July 1945
Enroute to San Francisco

Underway from Pier #91, Naval Supply Depot, Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA.

20-22 July 1945
San Francisco

Anchored in anchorage area #7, San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CA. The Staff Commander Transportation Division 33 reported onboard Elmore. Underway to San Diego, CA.

23 July 1945
San Diego

Moored to boys #40 and #41, South San Diego Bay, San Diego, CA. The Staff Commander Transportation Division 33 reported onboard Elmore. Underway to San Diego, CA. Inspection Board from Commander Amphibious Training, Pacific, came aboard and made a material inspection of the ship. The Flag of Commander Transportation Division 33 came aboard Elmore.

25-27 July 1945
Naval Repair Base, San Diego

Elmore arrived at U.S. Naval Repair Base for the purpose of replacing a thirty ton boom, port side #3 hatch, that was found to be too short for proper operation.

28-31 July 1945
San Pedro

In company with USS Custer (APA-40), Elmore arrived at San Pedro, CA for loading troops, ammunition, fuel and stores.

1-4 August 1945
Enroute to Pearl Harbor

Steaming enroute to Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. On 8 August, Elmore maneuvered as Division Flagship with Commander Transport Division 33 acting as Squadron Commander. Ship conducted tactical exercises. [The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on 6 August. The second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on 9 August.]

5-10 August 1945
Pearl Harbor

Arrived Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. Moored to berth X-6 with USS Clermont (APA-143) moored to starboard side. Received orders to proceed to Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.

11-12 August 1945
Enroute to Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands

Arrived Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. Moored to berth X-6 with USS Clermont (APA-143) moored to starboard side. Received orders to proceed to Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. [On 15 August, Japan accepted surrender terms].

14-19 August 1945
Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands

Arrived Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.

20 August 1945
Enroute to Ulithi Atoll

Enroute to Ulithi Atoll, Western Caroline Islands.

21-25 August 1945
Ulithi Atoll

Arrived Ulithi Atoll, Western Caroline Islands and anchored where berth #19 and #453 join.

25-26 August 1945
Enroute to Leyte, Philippines

Enroute to Leyte, Philippines in convoy with escort, Captain S. M. Haight, USN, (Commander Transportation Division 33 in Elmore) convoy Commodore, and Commander Escort Division 35 in USS Olson (DE-765) escort Commander.

26-29 August 1945
San Pedro Bay, Leyte, Philippines

Arrived San Pedro Bey, Leyte, Philippines. Anchored in Berth #235. Commenced debarking troops and cargo of an Army replacement unit of Companies 29, 30 and 98, consisting of 42 officers and 623 enlisted men.

30-31 August 1945
Enroute to Luzon, Philippines

Enroute to Batangas Harbor, Luzon, Philippines.

31 August - 1 September 1945
Luzon, Philippines

Arrived Batangas Harbor, Luzon, Philippines. Commenced debarking Army troops and cargo of the 4th Regimental Depot consisting of 37 officers and 471 enlisted men and the 28th Tank Battalion consisting of 41 officers and 693 enlisted men. [On 2 September, 1945, the formal ceremonies marking the surrender of Japan, took place aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay.]

2 September 1945
Enroute to Manila Bay

Enroute to Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippines.

3 September 1945
Manila Bay

Anchored in berth #570 and later shifted to berth #63, Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippines. Shifted to Subic Bay on 9 September. In company with various ships of Transport Squadron 14 (temporary). OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command] Captain W.S. Heard in USS Okanogan (APA-220). [A photo of Elmore in Manila Bay was taken for the crew on 8 September, 1945.]

3-9 September 1945
Enroute to Lingayen Gulf

Steaming in convoy enroute from Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippines to Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands. USS Okanogan (APA-220) left the formation designating Captain Welch in USS Barnstable (APA-93) as OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command]. Anchored off Aringay Point, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines.

10 September 1945
Lingayen Gulf

Transited from Aringay Point to Bauang Point on 16 September. Conducted landing exercises on 17 September.

11-19 September 1945
Enroute to Wakayama, Japan

Enroute to Wakayama, Honshu, Japan. Conducted a number of drills during this transit.

20-24 September 1945
Wakayama, Japan

Anchored in outer transport area ABEL off Wakayama, Honshu, Japan and commenced lowering boats. Moved to inner transport area CHARLIE. Commenced unloading cargo of elements of the 33rd US. Army Division. Completed debarking all troops.

25 September 1945
Enroute to Leyte

Underway to Leyte, Philippine Islands. On 1 October, stopped at Subic Bay, Luzon, enroute in company of various ships of Transport Squadron 14 (Temporary). OTC Fleet Guide, Commander (Transport Squadron 14) Commodore D. L. Ryan, USN, in USS George Clymer (APA-27).

26 September - 2 October 1945
San Pedro Bay, Leyte

Anchored at berth #234, San Pedro Bay, Leyte, Philippine Islands. Received stores and fuel.

3-6 October 1945
Enroue to Toloma, Davao Gulf

Enroue to Toloma, Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines in company of various ships of Transport Squadron 14 (Temporary). OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command] Fleet Guide, Commander (Transport Squadron 14) Commodore Ryan, USN, in USS George Clymer (APA-27).

7 October 1945
Daliao, Davao Gulf

Anchored off Daliao, Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines. Shifted anchorage to Pohun Point, Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Philippine Islands.

8 October 1945
Pohun Point, Davao Gulf

Anchored off Pohun Point, Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines. Shifted anchorage to Lanang Point, Pakiputan Strait, Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Philippine Islands. Received advanced detail of the 3rd Battalion, 19th Regiment, 24th US Army Division and loaded cargo, 61 officers and 920 enlisted men.

9-14 October 1945
Enroute to Matsuyama, Japan

Enroute to Matsuyama, Shikoku, Japan, as one of five ships of Task Unit 54.13.22 and in company with units of Task Force 54.13. OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command] Fleet Guide, Commander, Commodore Ryan, USN, in USS George Clymer (APA-27).

15-21 October 1945
Matsuyama, Japan

Anchored in berth 43 off Mitsugahama, Hakuchi, Matsuyama, Shikoku, Japan. Debarked occupation troops of the 3rd Battalion, 19th Regiment, 24th US Army Division and attached units. Unloaded cargo on 23 October.

22-26 October 1945
Enroute to Buckner Bay, Okinawa

Enroute to Buckner Bay, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands. Steaming in company with USS Okanogan (APA-220) and USS Mifflin (APA-207), OTC [Officer-in-Tactical Command] Fleet Guide Captain W.W. Heard, USN, in USS Okanogan (APA-220).

27-29 October 1945
Buckner Bay, Okinawa

Anchored in berth B-67, Buckner Bay, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands. Received fuel from USS Chiwawa (AO-68). Proceeded to anchorage in berth B-76. On 31 October, 45 naval enlisted personnel reported aboard for further transfer to San Francisco, CA. Embarked an additional 99 officers and 1,648 enlisted personnel.

30-31 October 1945
Enroute to San Francisco, CA / Seattle, WA

Steaming singly enroute from Buckner Bay, Okinawa, to San Francisco, CA. Changed course to investigate reported flares. Result of search negative and resumed base course. On 5 November, sighted horned type mine off port bow, all hands to general quarters. Sank mine by gun fire. Secured from general quarters. On 6 November, pursuant to Commander Western Sea Frontier, destination changed to Seattle, WA.

1-13 November 1945
Seattle, WA

Entered straits of Juan de Fuca, arriving off Port Angeles. With Pilot at Conn, proceeded to Elliot Bay, Seattle. Anchored in berth Jig ["J"]. On 15 November, moored port side of Pier 91, Naval Station, Seattle, WA. Debarked Naval passenger personnel.

14-16 November 1945
Everett, WA

Proceeded to Everett Pacific Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Everett, WA. Moored port side of SS Waipio, Pier "E". Elmore underwent minor voyage repairs. Loaded stores during period 23-26 November.

17-26 November 1945
Seattle, WA

Moored starboard side of Pier 91, Naval Station, Seattle, WA. Received diesel oil and stores.

27-29 November 1945
Enroute to Guiuan, Samar, Philippines

Steaming singly enroute to Guiuan, Samar, Philippines from Seattle, WA. Reduced speed due to excess pounding from strong winds and heavy seas over several days.

30 November - 19 December 1945
Guiuan, Samar

Anchored in Berth 40, Guiuan, Samar, Philippine Islands. Received fuel and anchored in berth 76, San Pedro Bay.

20-23 December 1945
San Pedro Bay

Anchored at berth 9, San Pedro Bay, Philippine Islands. Embarked Army and Navy passenger personnel for transportation to the United States, having received 26 Naval personnel, 45 Army officers and 1,564 Army enlisted personnel. Proceeded to San Francisco, CA.

24 December 1945
Enroute to San Diego, CA

Steaming singly enroute from Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands to San Francisco, CA.

25-31 December 1945

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