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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Wharton (AP-7)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Alpha - Golf - Tango
 NAGT
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet clasp) - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (3) - World War II Victory Medal - Philippines Liberation Medal
Wharton Class Transport:
  • Laid down, 8 October 1918, by New York Shipbuilding Co., Camden, N.J. as SS Southern Cross, a passenger/cargo ship, for Muson Steamship Line
  • Launched, 20 July 1919
  • Delivered in, 24 September 1921
  • Acquired by the US Navy from the Maritime Commission, 8 November 1939
  • Converted for Naval Service at Todd Shipbuilding Corp., Robbins Drydock, Erie Basin, Brooklyn, N.Y.
  • Commissioned USS Wharton (AP-7), 7 December 1940, at New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N.Y., CAPT. Elroy L. Vanderkloot in command
  • During WWII USS Wharton was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the:

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Marshall Islands operations
    Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, 31 January to 8 February 1944
    Occupation of Eniwetok Atoll, 17 to 25 February 1944     		Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 19 to 22 May 1945
    Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Guam, 21 to 25 July 1944     		 

  • Following World War II USS Wharton was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

    Navy Occupation Service Medal
    China Service Medal (extended)
    22 February to 1 March 1946 7 to 14 January 1947
    30 December 1946 to 6 January 1947 

  • USS Wharton was assigned to Joint Task Force 1, Task Unit 1.1.2 (Technical Group - Instrumentation Units) for Operation Crossroads the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946
  • Decommissioned, 26 March 1947
  • Returned to the Maritime Commission,27 March 1947, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Olympia, WA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 4 April 1947
  • USS Wharton earned three battle stars for her World War II service
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 21 March 1952, by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 12,250 t.(lt) 21,900 t.(fl)
    Length 535' 2"
    Beam 72'
    Draft 31' 3"
    Speed 16.5 kts.
    Complement
    Officers 41
    Enlisted 525
    Troop Capacity
    Officers 181
    Enlisted 2,130
    Cargo Capacity 2,700DWT
    Non-refrigerated 55,500 Cu ft
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    four single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts
    two twin 40mm gun mounts
    eight .50 cal machine guns
    Fuel Capacity
    NSFO 27,300 Bbls
    Diesel 1,000 Bbls
    Propulsion
    two Westinghouse Turbines
    eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 265psi 510°
    double De Laval Main Reduction Gears
    Ship's Service Generators
     two Diesel-drive 100Kw 120V D.C.
     two turbo-drive 150Kw 120V D.C.
    twin propellers, 34,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Merchant Service
    BB-47 Washington 135k SS Southern Cross and SS Hoosier State at the fitting out piers adjacent to the ship ways at New York Shipbuilding Corp. Shipyard, Camden, N.J. The battleship Washington (BB-47) has just been launched, 1 September 1921. Colorado (BB-45) is fitting out in the wet basin at the end of the covered ship ways building. Washington's construction ceased in February 1922, under the terms of the Naval Limitations Treaty, and she was sunk as a target in 1924. Photographed by the Aero Service Corp., Philadelphia, PA.
    US Navy photo # NH 105177. Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2007.    		 Michael Mohl
    USS Wharton (AP-7)
    Wharton 182k
    Namesake

    Franklin Wharton—born in Philadelphia on 23 July 1767—was commissioned a captain of marines on 3 August 1798. He served in frigate United States during the Quasi-War with France and subsequently commanded the Marine Barracks at Philadelphia. On 7 March 1804, Wharton took office as the third Commandant of the Marine Corps. During this early period, Wharton's principal task was furnishing Marine detachments for the increasing number of warships being fitted out to fight the Barbary pirates. When American naval strength combined with diplomacy to eliminate this longstanding problem, Congress cut back on the Navy's warships and men. During the early lean years of Wharton's tenure as Commandant, the new Marine Barracks and the Commandant's quarters in Washington, D.C., were completed, mostly by the labor of marines. He made substantial contributions to the Corps. Under his leadership, uniforms and military equipment were standardized for the first time; and military practices became uniform throughout the Corps. During his time in office, the Marine Band was established and began winning the national reputation which it still maintains. While still Commandant, Wharton died in New York on 1 September 1818.
    Photo: USMC History Division    		 Bill Gonyo
    Wharton 117k USS Wharton (AP-7) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., near the end of an overhaul, 27 December 1941. Note that she is flying her National Ensign from the mainmast gaff (the flag's underway position), while tied up alongside the wharf.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26644, a US Navy photo from the BUSHIPS collection in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Robert Hurst
    Wharton 58k USS Wharton (AP-7) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 6 January 1942.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26645, a US Navy photo from the BUSHIPS collection in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Robert Hurst
    Wharton 37k USS Wharton (AP-7) Christmas Card for 1942 Ken Dupree, YNCS USN Ret., Courtesy John F Mathews, RD/2c, USN, USS Wharton 1942-46
    Wharton 45k USS Wharton (AP-7) underway, circa 1943, location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Wharton 20k USS Wharton (AP-7) moored pierside, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 74k USS Wharton (AP-7) off San Francisco, CA., 9 March 1943. The San Francisco Bay Bridge is at left, and Pier Number 18 is in the right background.
    US Navy photo # NH 102889    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 164k Plan view forward of USS Wharton (AP-7) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 18 April 1942. Note details of Wharton's open bridge, 20mm gun position in lower right, motor whaleboat and lifeboat.
    US Navy photo # NH 102885    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 162k Plan view amidships of USS Wharton (AP-7) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 18 April 1942. Note 20mm gun positions, lifeboats and life rafts, casks of life raft provisions, and ventilator cowls just forward of the smokestack.
    US Navy photo # NH 102886, a US Navy photo from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 171k Plan view aft of USS Wharton (AP-7) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 18 April 1942. Note stacks of life rafts and the newly-installed 1.1-inch antiaircraft machine gun mount, covered with canvas, in lower right center.
    US Navy photo # NH 102887, a US Navy photo from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 135k USS Wharton (AP-7) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 18 April 1942.
    US Navy photo # NH 102888, a US Navy photo from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 68k Port bow view ofUSS Wharton (AP-7) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 18 April 1942.
    US Navy photo # NH 102883 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center    		 Robert Hurst
    Wharton 71k Port broadside view of USS Wharton (AP-7) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 18 April 1942.
    US Navy photo # NH 102884 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center    		 Robert Hurst
    Wharton 54k Starboard broadside view of USS Wharton (AP-7) off San Francisco, CA., 9 March 1943.
    US Navy photo # NH 102890, a US Navy photo from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 68k USS Wharton (AP-7) receives assistance from a tug while off San Francisco, CA., 9 March 1943.
    US Navy photo # NH 102892, a US Navy photo from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 55k Stern view of USS Wharton (AP-7) underway off San Francisco, CA., 9 March 1943.
    US Navy photo # NH 102891, a US Navy photo from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 62k Stern view of USS Wharton (AP-7) underway in San Francisco, Bay, 23 August 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 6063-43    		 Darryl Baker
    Wharton 51k Bow on view of USS Wharton (AP-7) underway in San Francisco, Bay, 23 August 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 6067-43    		 Darryl Baker
    Wharton 69k Port bow view of USS Wharton (AP-7) underway in San Francisco Bay, 23 August 1943.
    US Navy photo # NH 102893, a US Navy photo from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Wharton 66k Port broadside view of USS Wharton (AP-7) underway in San Francisco Bay, 23 August 1943.
    US Navy photo # NH 102894, a US Navy photo from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 Robert Hurst
    Wharton
    092200730    		 410k USS Wharton (AP-7) Commanding Officer CDR John J. Fallon (left) and Executive Officer LCDR. Frank T. Callahan, 1944.
    US Navy photo.    		 Stephen Callahan
    Wharton
    092200731    		 282k USS Wharton (AP-7) Department heads 1944. Left to right:Dr. Herbert Anderson, Jeff Thompson, LCDR. Frank Callahan, CDR. John Fallon, Harry Miller, Timmens, Bargas and Milne.
    US Navy photo    		 Stephen Callahan
    Wharton 129k Aft plan view of USS Wharton (AP-7) at Navy Yard Mare Island, 26 October 1944. YHB 2 (ex-Port of Stockton) is in the background.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 6478-44    		 Darryl Baker
    Wharton 136k Forward plan view of USS Wharton (AP-7) at Navy Yard Mare Island, 26 October 1944. Berthing barges are in the background. Her camouflage will be Measure 32, Design 4T when completed.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 6480-44    		 Darryl Baker
    Wharton 71k USS Wharton (AP-7) underway off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 26 October 1944. Her camouflage will be Measure 32, Design 4T when completed.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-75616, a US Navy BUSHIPS photo from the US Navy Bureau of Ships collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Robert Hurst
    Wharton 107k USS Wharton (AP-7) underway in San Francisco Bay near Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 26 October 1944.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-74620, a US Navy BUSHIPS photo from the US Navy Bureau of Ships collection now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Mike Green
    Wharton 25k USS Wharton (AP-7) near Mare Island Navy Yard, 26 October 1944. Hyperwar US Navy in WWII
    Wharton 74k USS Wharton (AP-7) at anchor in San Francisco Bay , 30 July 1945. Note the large hull number on the bow, typical of Pacific Fleet auxiliary and amphibious ships in 1945.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # 19-N-89485, a US Navy BUSHIPS photo now in the collections the US Naval History and Heritage Command, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Mike Green
    Wharton 67k Halftone reproduction of a photo of USS Wharton (AP-7) while in port, circa 1945. Location is probably San Francisco. Copied from the book "Troopships of World War II", by Roland W. Charles.
    US Navy photo # NH 102882    		 Robert Hurst
    Wharton 302k USS Wharton (AP-7) outbound to sea from San Diego, CA., 16 November 1945. Photo was taken from USS Hughes (DD-410) inbound to San Diego from WestPac.
    Photo by Chester Bradley    		 John Chiquoine and Dave Schroeder.
    USS Wharton (AP-7)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01CDR. Graham, James Joseph, USN (USNA 1919)14 December 1939 - August 1940 In Ordinary Commission
    02CDR. Vanderkloot, Elroy Leonard, USN (USNA 1913)August 1940 - 7 December 1940 In Ordinary Commission
    02CDR. Vanderkloot, Elroy Leonard, USN (USNA 1913)7 December 1940 - 29 January 1942
    03LCDR. MacLean, Sumner Kinsman, USN (USNA 1924) acting29 January 1942 - 16 February 1942
    04CAPT. Jacobson, Jacob Harry, USN :COMO16 February 1942 - 1 November 1942
    05CDR. Fallon, John James, USNR1 November 1942 - 21 September 1944
    06CAPT. Ryan, William David, CAPT USNR21 September 1944 - 20 September 1945
    07CDR. Percival, Raymond Cyril, USN (USNA 1921-A)20 September 1945 - January 1946
    08CAPT. Gordinier, Virgil Francis, USN (USNA 1925)January 1946 - October 1946
    09CDR. DuBois, Raymond Francis, USN (USNA 1938) :RADMOctober 1946 - 26 March 1947
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Postal Covers related to the ship
    MARAD Vessel History Database
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    Last Updated 27 March 2020