USS Lander (APA‑178/LPA‑178) was a Haskell‑class attack transport of the United States Navy that served during the final phase of World War II and the immediate post‑war period. Named for Lander County, Nevada, the ship was built under a Maritime Commission contract as a VC2‑S‑AP5 type Victory ship hull (MCV hull 144).
Construction and design
- Laid down: 9 October 1944, Oregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, Oregon
- Launched: 19 November 1944
- Commissioned: 9 December 1944 (as USS Lander (APA‑178))
The vessel displaced 6,873 long tons (standard) and 14,837 long tons (full load), measured 455 ft (139 m) in length with a beam of 62 ft (19 m). Propulsion consisted of a Westinghouse geared turbine powered by two Babcock & Wilcox boilers, delivering a top speed of approximately 17 knots. The ship’s complement was roughly 536 officers and enlisted personnel.
Operational history
World War II
After shakedown and amphibious training on the U.S. West Coast, Lander joined the Pacific Fleet in early 1945. She participated in transport and landing operations supporting the final Allied offensives against Japan, delivering troops, equipment, and supplies to forward areas. The ship earned two battle stars for her World War II service.
Post‑war service and decommissioning
Following the Japanese surrender, Lander returned to the United States, arriving on the West Coast in early 1946. She departed for the East Coast on 28 January 1946, arriving at Norfolk on 16 February. Lander was decommissioned on 29 March 1946 and transferred to the Maritime Commission on 1 April 1946, entering the National Defense Reserve Fleet at James River, Virginia.
Later status
The vessel was redesignated LPA‑178 (amphibious transport, small) on 14 August 1968, though she remained inactive. Lander was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 September 1983 and subsequently sold for scrapping later that year.
Awards
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic‑Pacific Campaign Medal (2 stars)
- World War II Victory Medal
- Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia clasp)
References
- Naval History and Heritage Command, “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships – Lander.”
- NavSource Online, “Amphibious Attack Transport APA/LPA‑178 Lander.”
- Maritime Commission records, vessel hull 144.