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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS President Jackson (T-APA-18)
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USS President Jackson (APA-18) (1943 - 1949)
USS President Jackson (AP-37) (1942 - 1943)


International Radio Call Signs

USS President Jackson (AP-37)
1942 International Radio Call Sign
Nan - Oboe - Mike - Dog
NOMD

USS President Jackson (APA-18)
1943 International Radio Call Sign
Nan - Charlie - Item - Fox
NCIF

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons





Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (1 Nov 43, 21 Feb 45)
Second Row - Navy Unit Commendation (8) - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal
Third Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (9) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Fourth Row - National Defense Service Medal - Korean Service Medal (4) - Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
Fifth Row - Philippines Liberation Medal - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)


President Jackson Class Transport
  • Laid down, 2 October 1939, as Maritime Commission type (C3 P & C) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 53) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Corp. Newport News VA.
  • Launched, 7 June 1940
  • Delivered to American President Lines, 25 October 1940
  • Acquired by the Navy, 30 June 1941
  • Commissioned USS President Jackson (AP-37), 16 January 1942, CDR. Charles W. Weitzel USN in command
  • Reclassified Attack Transport (APA-18), 1 February 1943
  • During WWII USS President Jackson was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater:
    TransRon Eleven, COMO. D.W. Loomis USN (18);
    TransDiv Thirty-Two (flagship), CAPT. C.W. Weitzel and participated in the following campaigns:

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Guadalcanal-Tulagi landings, 7 to 9 August 1942 New Georgia Group operation
    New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation, 30 June 1943
    Capture and defense of Guadalcanal, 12 November 1942 Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Guam, 21 to 26 July 1944
    Treasury-Bougainville operation
    Occupation and defense of Cape Torokina, 1 and 8 and 9 November 1943
    Luzon operations
    Lingayen Gulf landings, 11 and 12 January 1945
    Guadalcanal (Third Savo), 12 to 15 November 1942 Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 19 to 6 March 1945
    Consolidation of the Solomon Island
    Consolidation of southern Solomons, 17 February 1943
     

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

    Navy Occupation Service Medal

    China Service Medal (extended)
    15 to 20 July 194621 to 22 July 1946
    24 July to 11 August 194627 July to 12 August 1947
    27 July to 12 August 19478 to 15 September 1947
    15 to 21 September 1947 
    20 to 26 December 1947 
    8 to 11 August 1949 
    30 August to 4 September 1949 
    13 to 16 November 1949 

  • Transferred to Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) control, 22 October 1949, redesignated (T-APA-18)
  • During the Korean War USS President Jackson participated in the following campaigns:

    Korean War Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    North Korean Aggression
    18 to 20 September 1950
    Inchon Landing
    15 to 17 September 1950
    Communist China Aggression,
    5 to 20 November 1950
    Second Korean Winter
    25 to 26 January 1952
  • Decommissioned, 6 July 1955, at San Francisco Naval Shipyard
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 October 1958
  • USS / USNS President Jackson earned nine battle stars for World War II service and four battle stars for Korean War service
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission, 1 December 1958, for disposal
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 23 April 1973, to N.W. Kennedy Ltd. (Canada), % Mitsui & Co. (PD-X-957 dated 15 March 1973) for $467,390.00. Delivered 15 May 1973
    Specifications:
    Displacement 9,500 t.(lt), 16,000 t.(fl)
    Length 491'
    Beam 69' 6"
    Draft 26' 6"
    Speed 18.4 kts (trial)
    Complement
    35 Officers
    477 Enlisted
    Troop Accommodations
    70 Officers
    1,312 Enlisted
    Flag Accommodations
    Officers 8
    Largest Boom Capacity 30t.
    Cargo Capacity 6,800 DWT
    non-refrigerated 185,000 Cu. ft.
    Armament
    four single 3"/50 dual purpose guns
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    three single 40mm AA gun mounts
    twelve single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Boats
    thirty-two LCVPs
    three LCM(3)
    Fuel Capacities
    NSFO 10,950 Bbls.
    Diesel 800 Bbls
    Propulsion
    one Newport News Shipbuilding geared turbine drive
    two Babcock and Wilcox header-type boilers, 450psi 750°
    double Westinghouse Main Reduction Gear
    Ships Service Generators, four 300Kw 120V/240V D.C.
    single propeller, designed shaft horsepower 8,500

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Merchant Service American President Lines
    President Jackson 226k
    Namesake

    Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was the seventh President of the United States (1829–1837). He was military governor of Florida (1821), commander of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans (1815), and eponym of the era of Jacksonian democracy. A polarizing figure who dominated American politics in the 1820s and 1830s, his political ambition combined with widening political participation, shaping the modern Democratic Party. His legacy is now seen as mixed, as a protector of popular democracy and individual liberty, checkered by his support for Indian removal and slavery. Renowned for his toughness, he was nicknamed “Old Hickory”. As he based his career in developing Tennessee, Jackson was the first president primarily associated with the American frontier. His portrait appears on the U.S. twenty-dollar bill.
    Image, courtesy Library of Congress.
    Bill Gonyo
    President Jackson 86k SS President Jackson one day prior to launching, 6 June 1940, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Corp. Newport News VA. At this time the ship is about 60% complete.
    Library of Congress Photo # LC-USE6- D-000702
    Mike Green
    President Jackson
    100301830
    87k SS President Jackson launching, 6 June 1940, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Corp. Newport News VA.
    Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp. photos.
    Dale Hargrave
    President Jackson
    100301829
    75k
    President Jackson 226k SS President Jackson in the service of American President Lines, New York Harbor, circa, late 1940, early 1941. Steve Newbauer for his father and Scott Dyben for his grandfather Bill Newbauer USS President Jackson
    President Jackson 117k Advertisement for the SS President Jackson maiden voyage from New York to the Orient and around the world, November 2, 1940. Tommy Trampp
    USS President Jackson (AP-37)
    President Jackson 89k USS President Jackson (AP-37), in the distance, alongside an oiler, probably at Noumea, New Caledonia, as seen from USS Wasp (CV-7) on the eve of the Guadalcanal-Tulagi invasion. Photo is dated 4 August 1942. Ship in the foreground is an as-yet little modified "flush-deck" destroyer, with no hull number showing.
    US National Archive photo # 80-G-K-559, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.
    US Naval Historical Center
    President Jackson 117k Ships maneuvering between Tulagi and Guadalcanal during the Japanese aerial torpedo attack on 8 August 1942. USS President Jackson (AP-37) is at left. HMAS Australia is in the center distance, with anti-aircraft shells bursting nearby. Photographed from USS Ellet (DD-398).
    US National Archive photo # 80-G-K-385, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 108k USS President Jackson (AP-37) maneuvers under Japanese air attack off Guadalcanal, 12 November 1942. In the center background is smoke from an enemy plane that had just crashed into the after superstructure of USS San Francisco (CA-38), which is steaming away in the right center. Photographed from USS President Adams (AP-38). Note the anti-aircraft shell bursts.
    US National Archives photo # 80-G-32366, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 202k USS President Jackson (AP-37) LCM-2 beached with ramp down and 3/4 ton Dodge T214-WC56 command reconnaissance truck about to disembark, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "Allied Landing Craft of World War Two", published by Arms and Armour Press.
    Robert Hurst
    USS President Jackson (APA-18)
    President Jackson 99k USS President Jackson (APA-18)'s LCVPs maneuvering off Townsville, Australia, during amphibious exercises in 1943. Note signalmen at work with semaphore flags.
    US Navy photo # NH82763 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, Courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer Keith L. Anderson, USN (Retired), 1974.
    Gerd Matthes
    President Jackson 107k USS President Jackson (APA-18)'s LCVPs maneuvering off Townsville, Australia, during amphibious exercises in 1943. Note the dented bow of the boat at right.
    US Navy photo # NH82765 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, Courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer Keith L. Anderson, USN (Retired), 1974.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 97k Army troops load a 155mm gun into one of USS President Jackson (APA-18)'s LCMs, during amphibious exercises at Townsville, Australia, in 1943.
    US Navy photo # NH82768 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, Courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer Keith L. Anderson, USN (Retired), 1974.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 160k USS President Jackson (APA-18) date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    President Jackson 86k Sailors checking damage to the bow of USS President Jackson (APA-18) date and location unknown.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # UA 570.03.01, courtesy Oneida County Historical Society
    Mike Green
    President Jackson 74k USS President Jackson (APA-18), date and location unknown. She is painted camouflage Measure 33/6T. Hyperwar US Navy in WWII
    President Jackson 96k USS President Jackson (APA-18)'s LCVP's bringing Marines ashore at Bougainville, undated USMC photo # 17 Scott at LBS Products, and Tom Kerman courtesy Andy Vigil
    President Jackson 117k USS President Jackson (APA-18)'s LCVP's and other landing craft off the Bougainville beachhead, November 1943
    USMC photo # 68267, from the collections at the US Naval Historical Center
    Submitted by Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson/George Clymer 82k One of USS President Jackson (APA-18)'s LCVPs approaching a Bougainville beach during a resupply mission, 5 January 1944.The ship in the center right distance is USS George Clymer (APA-27).
    US National Archives photo # 80-G-55881, a US Navy photo now in the collections at the US National Archives
    Submitted by Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 194k USS President Jackson (APA-18), probably during operation Magic Carpet bringing home soldiers and sailors after the end of World War II, circa December 1945. Military History Museum
    President Jackson 98k USS President Jackson (APA-18), photographed, 8 March 1947, in the Elizabeth River below the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA. Note the snow on the ship.
    US Navy photo # NH 97886 from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 109k USS President Jackson (APA-18), photographed, 8 March 1947, in the Elizabeth River below the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA. Note the snow on the ship and on the building ashore.
    US Navy photo # NH 97887 from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 89k USS President Jackson (APA-18), photographed, 8 March 1947, in the Elizabeth River below the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA. with a harbor tug alongside. Note the snow on buildings ashore and on the old ferry boats at right.
    US Navy photo # NH 97888 from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 94k USS President Jackson (APA-18), photographed, 8 March 1947, in the Elizabeth River below the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA. with a harbor tug alongside. Note the snow on the ship and the buildings ashore.
    US Navy photo # NH 97889 from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 69k USS President Jackson (APA-18), photographed in the vicinity of Norfolk, VA. from a NAS Norfolk, aircraft, 12 March 1947.
    US Navy photo # NH 97890 from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 94k USS President Jackson (APA-18) photographed in the vicinity of Norfolk, VA. from a NAS Norfolk, aircraft, 12 March 1947.
    US Navy photo # NH 97891 from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
    Scott at LBS Products
    President Jackson 220k Chief Petty Officer George A. Dedic with model built by him of USS President Jackson (APA-18) while he was assigned to the ship.
    CINCPACFLT photo dated 1/31/50 courtesy Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum.
    Darryl Baker
    President Jackson 144k USS President Jackson (APA-18) under way with the assistance of a tug in the harbor at Yokohama, Japan in November 1954. Photo by Robert S. Jennings, CWO3 USN
    President Jackson 172k USS President Jackson (T-APA-18) cards issued to passengers, restricted areas, traffic rules and drills and Abandons Ship station card. Tommy Trampp
    President Jackson 401k USS President Jackson (T-APA-18) Decommissioning program cover and invitation. Wolfgang Hechler

    USS President Jackson (AP-37 / APA-18 / T-APA-18)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01CDR. Weitzel, Charles William, USN16 January 1942 - 20 August 1943
    02CAPT. Abernathy, Elmer Paul, USN (USNA 1921-B)20 August 1943 - 28 March 1944
    03CAPT. Junker, Alexander Foster, USN (USNA 1922)28 March 1944 - 23 October 1944
    04CAPT. Hamblett, Cyril Bertram, USN :ADM23 October 1944 - 12 April 1945
    05CAPT. Weaver Jr., William Henry, USNR12 April 1945 - 27 October 1945
    06CAPT. Wheeler, Homer Boozer, USN (USNA 1924)27 October 1945 - ?
    07CDR. Milton, Coleman W., USNRno dates
    08CAPT. Stewart, L. P.no dates
    09CAPT. Miller, Daniel Byrd, USN (USNA-1926) :RADMno dates
    10CAPT. Smith, S. P.no dates
    11CDR. Pace, James Roland, USNR :RADMno dates
    12CAPT. Hutson, Albert Lockett, USN (USNA-1918)? - 1950
    13CAPT. Ferriter, Charles Arthur, USN (USNA 1924)1950 - July 1951
    14CAPT. Jackson, Charles, USN (USNA 1926)July 1951 - August 1952
    15CAPT. Newsome, James Hillman, USN (USNA 1930)August 1952 - January 1953
    17CAPT. Lyon, Hyland Benton, USN (USNA 1931)January 1953 - 1953
    18CAPT. Harwood, Richard Drury1953 - 1954
    19CDR. Peak, Doyle1954 - 6 July 1955
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    MARAD Vessel History Database
    Life Magazine photos of USS President Jackson (APA-18) and USS Hayes (APA-20) beach and boat crews
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Transport (AP) Photo Index Back To the Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Attack Transport (APA) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 1 November 2024