USS Alkaid (AK-114)

USS Alkaid (AK-114) was an "Crater"-class cargo ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She was responsible for delivering troops, goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.

"SS William G. Sumner" (AK-114) was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract (MCE hull 1211) on 13 September 1943 by the St. John's River Shipbuilding Co., Inc., Jacksonville, Florida; launched on 8 November 1943; sponsored by Mrs. W. R. McQuaid; renamed "Alkaid" on 13 November 1943; acquired by the Navy under a bareboat charter on 19 November 1943; converted for naval service by the Gibbs Gas Engine Co., Jacksonville, Florida; and, commissioned in Jacksonville on 27 March 1944, Lt. Comdr . E. G. Gummer in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

Following a period of shakedown training off the U.S. East Coast, Alkaid sailed on 6 May for the Pacific Ocean, via Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the Panama Canal. On 14 June, the ship touched at Espiritu Santo and reported to Service Squadron 8 for duty.

Inter-island service in the South Pacific

For the duration of her World War II service, "Alkaid" acted as an interisland transport. Some of the ports she visited included Noumea, New Caledonia; Guadalcanal; Tulagi; Suva, Fiji; Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand; Espiritu Santo and Efate, New Hebrides; Oro Bay, New Guinea; Iwo Jima; Guam; and Eniwetok.

Okinawa operations

On 15 May 1946, "Alkaid" sailed from Ulithi with a convoy bound for Okinawa. She arrived off Hagushi beach on the 21st and operated there through the end of the month.

End-of-war activity

"Alkaid" touched at Pearl Harbor in early August. She was undergoing availability when she received word of the Japanese surrender. In September, the ship got underway for Japan. After making calls at Eniwetok, Saipan, and Iwo Jima, "Alkaid" dropped anchor at Yokosuka, Japan, on 4 October. For the next one and one-half months, the ship served with the occupation forces in Japan.

On 16 November, "Alkaid" left Japan with a load of homeward-bound American troops and reached San Francisco, California, on 6 January 1946.

Post-war decommissioning

The ship was decommissioned there and returned to the Maritime Commission on 11 March 1946. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 28 March 1946.

Military awards and honors

"Alkaid" won one battle star for her World War II service.

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