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.]
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.
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.
Anchored off shore of Abuyog Town, Leyte Gulf, Philippines in berth #15.
Anchored off shore of San Jose, Leyte Gulf, Philippines in berth #15, loading troops and cargo. Flash Red, general quarters, on numerous occasions.
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.
Manila Bay - Bicol Operations. Anchored off shore of San Felipe, Luzon, Philippines and unloaded troops and cargo.
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.
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.
Rehearsal period to carry out Amphibious Group Twelve Training Order A1204-45. Frequent and heavy rain squalls necessitated all navigation by radar.
Elmore enroute to Okinawa Shima in company with Task Unit 55.1.2. General quarters to conduct AA [anti-aircraft] practice.
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.
Elmore departed Okinawa for Guam, Mariana Islands, carrying casualties from Okinawa operation.
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.
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.
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.]
Underway from Pearl harbor to Portland, Oregon for a yard overhaul period.
Pursuant to Confidential Dispatch 252339 from Navy Yard Puget Sound, changed destination to 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.]
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.
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.
Underway from Pier #91, Naval Supply Depot, Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA.
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.
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.
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.
In company with USS Custer (APA-40), Elmore arrived at San Pedro, CA for loading troops, ammunition, fuel and stores.
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.]
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.
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].
Arrived Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Enroute to Ulithi Atoll, Western Caroline Islands.
Arrived Ulithi Atoll, Western Caroline Islands and anchored where berth #19 and #453 join.
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.
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.
Enroute to Batangas Harbor, 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.]
Enroute to Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippines.
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.]
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.
Transited from Aringay Point to Bauang Point on 16 September. Conducted landing exercises on 17 September.
Enroute to Wakayama, Honshu, Japan. Conducted a number of drills during this transit.
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.
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).
Anchored at berth #234, San Pedro Bay, Leyte, Philippine Islands. Received stores and fuel.
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).
Anchored off Daliao, Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines. Shifted anchorage to Pohun Point, Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Philippine Islands.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Moored starboard side of Pier 91, Naval Station, Seattle, WA. Received diesel oil and stores.
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.
Anchored in Berth 40, Guiuan, Samar, Philippine Islands. Received fuel and anchored in berth 76, 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.
Steaming singly enroute from Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands to San Francisco, CA.