About this Unit
USS Talladega (APA-208) was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the U.S. Navy in October 1944. She played a crucial role in World War II, notably participating in the invasion of Iwo Jima, where she landed elements of the 5th Marine Division. After the war, Talladega supported occupation duties in the Far East and assisted in Operation Magic Carpet, returning American servicemen home. The ship was later recommissioned for service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars before being decommissioned in 1969.
Historical Facts
• Namesake: USS Talladega (APA-208) was named after Talladega County, Alabama, a common practice of naming attack transports after counties in the United States.
• Class and Type: She was a Haskell-class attack transport, based on the VC2-S-AP5 Victory ship design, specifically built to deliver troops and equipment to hostile shores during amphibious assaults.
• World War II Service: Commissioned on 31 October 1944, Talladega quickly entered service in the Pacific, supporting major operations like the invasion of Iwo Jima.
• Iwo Jima Landing: On 19 February 1945, Talladega landed elements of the 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division—these were the "Easy Company" Marines who raised the iconic flag atop Mount Suribachi.
• Flag Raising Connection: Several of the Marines who participated in the famous first flag raising on Mount Suribachi embarked aboard Talladega for the Iwo Jima assault, linking the ship to one of the most iconic moments in U.S. military history.
• Post-War Duties: After WWII, Talladega participated in "Operation Magic Carpet," transporting thousands of returning American servicemen from the Pacific back to the United States.
• Korean War Reactivation: Decommissioned in 1946, she was recommissioned in 1951 for service during the Korean War, operating between Japan, Korea, and the U.S. West Coast.
• Vietnam War Service: Talladega also saw service during the Vietnam War, supporting amphibious operations and troop movements in Southeast Asia.
• Hollywood Appearance: The ship made a brief appearance in the 1949 John Wayne movie "Sands of Iwo Jima," thanks to its real-life connection to the battle and the flag-raising Marines.
• Final Fate: After a distinguished career, Talladega was decommissioned in 1969 and sold for scrapping in 1982, ending nearly four decades of service across three major conflicts.
