About this Unit
USS Rawlins (APA-226) was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in October 1944, she served in the Pacific Theater, transporting troops and cargo to support major amphibious operations, including the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After the war, USS Rawlins participated in Operation Magic Carpet, repatriating American servicemen from the Pacific. She was decommissioned in March 1946 and eventually struck from the Navy List in 1958.
Historical Facts
•
Commissioning and Class: USS Rawlins (APA-226) was a Haskell-class attack transport, commissioned on 11 November 1944, specifically designed for amphibious warfare during World War II.
•
Namesake: The ship was named after Rawlins County in Kansas, part of the tradition of naming attack transports after counties in the United States.
•
Pacific Theater Service: USS Rawlins served in the Pacific Theater, transporting troops and equipment to key battle zones such as Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
•
Iwo Jima Operation: She played a pivotal role in the invasion of Iwo Jima in February 1945, landing elements of the 5th Marine Division on the beaches.
•
Kamikaze Threats: During the Okinawa campaign, Rawlins operated under constant threat from Japanese kamikaze attacks but managed to avoid significant damage.
•
Operation Magic Carpet: After the war, USS Rawlins participated in Operation Magic Carpet, returning thousands of American service members home from the Pacific.
•
Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned on 15 April 1946, less than two years after her launch, reflecting the rapid demobilization after WWII.
•
Awards: USS Rawlins received two battle stars for her World War II service, marking her participation in major combat operations.
•
Postwar Fate: The vessel was transferred to the Maritime Commission and placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay, California, eventually being scrapped in 1973.
•
Crew Stories: Veterans who served on the Rawlins recalled the intense camaraderie aboard, the challenges of amphibious assaults, and the relief of bringing troops home after the war's end.
