USS Knudson (APD-101)

• Namesake: USS Knudson (APD-101) was named in honor of Ensign John J. Knudson, a naval aviator killed in action during the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. • Original Designation: The ship was initially laid down as DE-591, a Rudderow-class destroyer escort, before being converted to a high-speed transport (APD). • Launch and Commissioning: Knudson was launched on 8 February 1944 and commissioned on 25 March 1945, entering service during the final months of World War II. • Pacific Theater Service: She served primarily in the Pacific, supporting amphibious operations and transporting Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), the predecessors of the Navy SEALs. • Occupation Duty: After Japan’s surrender, Knudson participated in the occupation of Japan, landing American troops at Wakayama and providing security in the area. • Operation “Magic Carpet”: The ship played a role in Operation Magic Carpet, the massive effort to return American servicemen home after the end of World War II. • Mothball Fleet: After the war, Knudson was decommissioned and placed in reserve at Green Cove Springs, Florida, as part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. • Korean War Service: Reactivated in 1953, Knudson provided training support for Underwater Demolition Teams and participated in amphibious exercises along the U.S. East Coast and Caribbean. • Final Fate: Knudson was decommissioned for the last time in 1959 and struck from the Navy list in 1964. She was sold for scrap in 1966. • Legacy: Though her service was relatively brief, USS Knudson’s role supported pioneering amphibious and special operations tactics that influenced modern naval warfare.