uss rawlins--apa226

• 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.