USS Banner (APA-60)

USS Banner (APA-60) was a Gilliam-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II. She was named for Banner County, Nebraska.

Banner was laid down on 18 March 1944 at Wilmington, California, by Consolidated Steel Corporation; launched on 24 June 1944; sponsored by Mrs. A. G. Boyd; and commissioned on 15 December 1944, Commander Charles L. Dillon, USNR, in command.

After shakedown training, Banner departed San Pedro, California, on 26 January 1945, bound for Pearl Harbor and subsequently, the Mariana Islands. She arrived at Saipan on 23 February and embarked troops for the assault on Okinawa.

Banner participated in the Battle of Okinawa, arriving off the island on 1 April 1945, D-Day. She landed her troops and then served as a receiving ship for casualties. She remained off Okinawa until 16 April, when she sailed for Saipan.

Following repairs and upkeep at Saipan, Banner transported troops and supplies between various island bases in the Pacific. With the end of the war, she participated in Operation Magic Carpet, transporting returning veterans back to the United States.

Banner was decommissioned on 26 April 1946, and placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 October 1961 and sold for scrapping in 1962.

Banner earned one battle star for World War II service at Okinawa.