History of the USS Deuel APA-160

   The name of the U.S.S. Deuel APA 160 stems back to two pioneers of sister states that perpetuate their homes. The first is Deuel County in western Nebraska and was named for Harry P. Deuel. As a division superintendent of the Union Pacific he played a part in the linking of the east and west by his first transcontinental railroad. He helped to open up our vast plains to the pioneer families who made our country the world's most bountiful breadbasket.

     Deuel County in eastern South Dakota shares equally in giving a proud name to this ship. This county was named for Jacob S. Deuel a sturdy pioneer and a member of the first state legislature of South Dakota. Both these thriving prairie communities have always been loyal, God fearing parts of our great nation. The officers and men of the U.S.S. Deuel were proud to serve on this fine ship which bears this good name. They gave their best to add new honor to the name that has already meant so much to these communities and to the nation.

     The Deuel was a Haskell Class Attack Transport, and her specifications were: displacement 6,720 tons, length 466 feet, beam 62 feet, draft 24 feet 8 inches and was capable of making and sustaining 17 knots. She was armed with a stern mounted 5"38 naval rifle, 4 quad 40mm mounts, several dual mounted 40mm mounts and numerous 20 mm guns. She was launched 9 September 1944 by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland Oregon. She was built under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. J. Himmelright, and transferred to the Navy on 13 October 1944. The Deuel was commissioned the same day with Captain D. G. McMillian in command. The Commissioning officer was Captain A. R. Ponto, USN (Commanding Officer, Naval Station, Astoria, Oregon).

     The Deuel sailed from San Diego on 26 November 1944 and after training at Pearl Harbor staged at Saipan for she invasion of Iwo Jima. On 19 February 1945 she helped land the 1st Battalion 26th Marine Regiment in the initial assault. She stood off the island for 6 days, embarking casualties for transportation to hospitals at Guam. After replacing her boats at Florida Island and training at Espiritu Santo, she sailed from Ulithi on 4 April to transport support troops to Okinawa where she embarked casualties for transfer to Saipan.

     From 28 May to 27 August 1945, the Deuel operated in the Philippines on transport and training duty. She carried Army troops to Japan occupation duty in September, and then returned to San Pedro BayLeyte to embark more troops and a civil administration party, which she landed at Kure between 5 and 11 October. She was assigned to "Magic Carpet" duty, and carried servicemen from the Pacific home to the West Coast until January 1946. She then sailed for the East Coast where she was placed out of commission 17 May 1946, berthed at Norfolk, Virginia.

     Recommissioned 23 October 1950 the Deuel operated from her base at Norfolk on exercises on the East Coast and in the Caribbean. In the summer of 1951, she transported an Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment and a Naval Beach Unit to Thule, Greenland. Between 21 August 1952 and 6 February 1953 she sailed to take part in Operation "Main Brace," the NATO amphibious exercises in Denmark and then continued to the Mediterranean for duty with the 6th Fleet. Between 6 August and 23 October 1953 the Deuel voyaged by way of the Panama Canal to bring Marines to Yokohama, Japan and in 1952 and 1956 she delivered naval construction battalion men and equipment to Casablanca, French Morocco. The Deuel was placed out of commission in reserve on 27 June 1956.