USS Cavalier (APA-37)

• Namesake: USS Cavalier (APA-37) was named after Cavalier County, North Dakota, and the Cavalier, a term referencing a mounted soldier or knight. • Class: She was a Bayfield-class attack transport, designed to carry troops and their equipment for amphibious assaults. • Laid Down: USS Cavalier was laid down on 15 December 1942 by the Western Pipe & Steel Company in San Francisco, California. • World War II Service: She participated in several major Pacific campaigns, including the invasions of Saipan, Leyte, Luzon, and Okinawa. • Troop Landings: During the Battle of Saipan, Cavalier landed elements of the US Marine Corps and US Army under hostile fire, contributing to the island's capture. • Kamikaze Attack: On 30 January 1945, while off Luzon, Cavalier was struck by a Japanese torpedo, causing significant damage and casualties, but she remained afloat and under tow. • Post-War Duties: After WWII, she participated in Operation Magic Carpet, returning veterans and liberated prisoners of war home from the Pacific. • Korean War: The ship was recommissioned for the Korean War, where she transported troops and equipment to support United Nations operations on the Korean Peninsula. • Vietnam Service: USS Cavalier also saw service during the Vietnam War, acting as a transport and supply ship for American forces in Southeast Asia. • Decommissioning: After a long and distinguished career, the USS Cavalier was decommissioned on 30 September 1968 and eventually sold for scrap in 1969.