ARL-18 USS Pandemus

• Namesake: USS Pandemus (ARL-18) was named after Pandemus, a figure in Greek mythology, symbolizing "all people" or unity. • Conversion: Originally laid down as LST-644, a tank landing ship, she was converted to a landing craft repair ship, reflecting the U.S. Navy's need for specialized support vessels in WWII. • Class: She belonged to the Achelous-class of landing craft repair ships, which were crucial for maintaining and repairing landing craft during amphibious operations. • Commissioning Date: USS Pandemus was commissioned on 19 April 1945, toward the end of World War II. • Pacific Service: She served in the Pacific Theater, providing repair services for landing craft during the final months of the war. • Okinawa Support: The ship supported operations at Okinawa, one of the most significant and bloody battles of the Pacific campaign. • Postwar Duties: After the war, Pandemus helped with occupation duties, repairing craft used in the occupation of Japan and the repatriation of troops. • Decommissioning: USS Pandemus was decommissioned on 29 May 1947, just two years after her commissioning. • Fate: She was placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet and ultimately struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 July 1961 before being sold for scrap. • Crew Stories: Like other ARLs, her crew included skilled machinists, welders, and electricians who often worked around the clock, enabling countless landing craft to return to service quickly—critical to the success of amphibious operations.