USS Bexar (APA-237)

USS "Bexar" (APA-237) was a sclass|Haskell|attack transport that was intended for service with the US Navy in World War II. She was commissioned too late to see action in that conflict but was to see service in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

"Bexar" was named after Bexar County, Texas. She was launched 25 July 1945 by Oregon Shipbuilding of Portland, Oregon, under a Maritime Commission contract, acquired by the Navy 9 October, and commissioned the same day, Captain A. M. Kowalzyk, Jr., in command.

Operational history

Upon completion of shakedown training, "Bexar" joined the Operation Magic Carpet fleet. She returned troops from the Pacific until February 1946. After a brief tour of duty around San Diego during the early part of 1946, she was ordered to Pearl Harbor to prepare for Operation Cross-roads.

Atomic bomb test

In June "Bexar" proceeded to Bikini Atoll to participate in Operation Crossroads, the large-scale operation designed to test the effectiveness of atomic bombs on warships. Over 200 warships participated in the operation, 75 of them as targets. "Bexar" served as an equipment supply center.

In August she returned to the West Coast and underwent radioactivity tests.

Peacetime missions

In January 1947 she joined the Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet, based at Norfolk, Virginia. "Bexar" operated along the Eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean until July 1950, making a Mediterranean cruise (January-February 1948) with Marines embarked.

Between March 1948 and July 1950 she participated in several amphibious exercises and Naval Reserve cruises along the East Coast. In September 1949 she proceeded to the Hawaiian Islands for a large scale amphibious exercise. Returning to Norfolk in December, she resumed her role in the Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet.

On 31 July 1950 "Bexar" departed Norfolk for the Mediterranean. In August she was ordered to embark Marines and proceed via the Suez Canal to Japan.

Korean War

Upon arrival, she proceeded to Korea where she participated in the Inchon (15 September) and Wonsan (25 October) landings and the evacuation of Chinnampo and Inchon. Departing the Far East on 6 January 1951 she proceeded to San Diego, arriving later in the month.

Between August 1951 and December 1953 "Bexar" made two more Far Eastern tours in support of Korean operations (August 1951 - May 1952 and July-December 1953). During the latter she served as flagship for Operation Big Switch, the movement of prisoners from Koje Do to Inchon, Korea.

Return to peacetime duties

"Bexar" made another tour of the Far East (23 October 1954 - 22 April 1955) during which she participated in the Tachen Islands evacuation.

Vietnam War

"Bexar" also saw extensive service in the Vietnam War, from 1966 to 1969.

On 1 January 1969, "Bexar" along with the other surviving attack transports from World War II were redesignated amphibious transports, "Bexar" receiving the designation LPA-237.

Decommission

"Bexar" was decommissioned on 7 August 1970 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 September 1976. She was returned to the Maritime Administration on 1 July 1972, and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, California. On 16 June 1982, she was sold for scrapping to C. W. Enterprises & Investment Inc., and scrapped in either South Korea or Taiwan.

Decorations

"Bexar" received three battle stars for Korean War service and five campaign stars for Vietnam War service.

References

* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/apa237.htm "Bexar" (APA-237)] , DANFS Online
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03237.htm APA/LPA-237 "Bexar"] , Navsource Online