USS Skimmer (AMCU-41)

The USS Skimmer (AMCU-41) was a LST-542-class Landing Ship Medium (Utility), reclassified as an Amphibious Transport, Utility (AMCU) towards the end of World War II. Originally designated LST-906, she was renamed USS Skimmer on September 15, 1945, before being commissioned.

Skimmer served primarily in the Pacific Theater following her commissioning. As an AMCU, her primary function was to transport troops, vehicles, and supplies directly onto beaches, supporting amphibious operations. Unlike larger amphibious vessels, AMCUs were smaller and more maneuverable, suitable for navigating shallow waters and landing in areas inaccessible to bigger ships.

Following World War II, the USS Skimmer continued to serve in various capacities, including participation in postwar occupation duties and support of peacetime operations. Her service eventually came to an end, and she was decommissioned. The exact details of her decommissioning date and ultimate disposition (e.g., scrapped, sunk as a target, sold to another navy) require further research to ascertain definitively.

The USS Skimmer represents a segment of the large fleet of amphibious vessels built and utilized by the United States Navy during World War II and the subsequent years. These vessels played a crucial role in projecting American power and supporting military operations around the globe.