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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS George Clymer (APA-27)
ex
USS George Clymer (AP-57) (1942 - 1943)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Alpha - Hotel - Romeo NAHR

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1)
Second Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (5) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Third Row - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Korean Service Medal (7) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Quemoy-Matsu, Vietnam)
Fourth Row - Vietnam Service Medal (3) - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (2) - Philippine Liberation Medal
Fifth Row - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)

Arthur Middleton Class Transport:

Laid down as SS African Planet, a Maritime Commission type (C3-P&C) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 108) at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS.

Launched, 27 September 1941

Renamed George Clymer, 9 June 1942

Acquired by the Navy and Commissioned as USS George Clymer (AP-57), 15 June 1942, CAPT. Arthur T. Moen in command

Redesignated Attack Transport (APA-27), 1 February 1943

During World War II USS George Clymer (AP-57 / APA-27) was assigned to both the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and Asiatic-Pacific Theater:
TransRon Twelve, COMO. H.B. Knowles USN (17);
TransDiv Thirty-Five, CAPT. R.C. Bartman and participating in the following campaigns:

Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
North Africa occupation Algeria-Morocco landings, 8 to 11 November 1942	Consolidation of Solomon Islands Consolidation of southern Solomon Islands, 7 May and 13 April 1943
	Treasury-Bougainville operation Occupation and defense of Cape Torokina, 1 and 13 November 1943
	Marianas operation Capture and occupation of Saipan, 17 to 30 June 1944 Capture and occupation of Guam, 21 July to 15 August 1944
	Leyte operation Leyte landings, 20 October 1944 - Dulag landing
	Okinawa Gunto operation Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 1 to 5 April 1945

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

Navy Occupation Service Medal	China Service Medal (extended)
25 to 26 September 1945	5 January to 18 August 1948
21 to 27 October 1945	22 September to 1 October 1951
	25 to 28 February 1952
	3 to 8 March 1952

USS George Clymer (APA-27) was assigned to Joint Task Force 1, Task Unit 1.3.1 Transportation Group (Transportation Division (TRANSDIV 31) for Operation Crossroads the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946

During the Korean War USS George Clymer (APA-27) participated in the following campaigns:

Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Korean War Campaigns
North Korean Aggression 2 to 4 August 1950 18 September to 30 October 1950	Second Korean Winter 5 to 18 December 1951 20 to 30 December 1951 11 January 1952 22 to 23 January 1952
Inchon Landing 15 to 17 September 1950	Third Korean Winter 28 to 31 January 1953 23 February to 6 March 1953
Communist China Spring Offensive 5 to 8 July 1951	Korea, Summer-Fall 1953 18 to 20 July1953
UN Summer-Fall Offensive 9 to 19 July 1951 28 to 31 August 1951 31 October to 1 November 1951

During the Vietnam War USS George Clymer (APA-27) participated in the following campaigns:

Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Advisory Campaign 9 to 11 January 1963 24 to 29 January 1963 1 to 29 September 1964	Vietnamese Counteroffensive 22 to 25 March 1966 28 March to 4 April 1966 12 to 15 April 1966 6 to 18 May 1966 9 to 27 June1966
Vietnam Defense 4 to 9 July 1965	Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II 30 to 31 July 1966

Decommissioned, 31 October 1967, at San Diego, CA.

Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown

USS George Clymer earned six battle stars for World War II, seven battle stars for Korean War service. the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars for Vietnam War service

Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 26 July 1968, to National Metals & Steel Corp.,

Specifications:
Displacement 9.000 t.(lt) 18,000 t.(fl)
Length 489'
Beam 69' 6"
Draft 26' 6"
Speed 18.4 kts

Complement

Officers 37

Enlisted 475

Troop Capacity

Officers 80

Enlisted 1264

Flag Accommodation

Officers 44

Enlisted 75

Largest Boom Capacity 50 t.

Armament

four single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mounts

two twin 40MM AA gun mounts

eight single 20mm gun mounts

four .50 cal AA machine guns

Cargo Capacity 3,500 DWT

non-refrigerated 200,000 Cu. ft. non-refrigerated

Fuel Capacities

NSFO 10,685 Bbls

Diesel 450 Bbls

Propulsion

one General Electric steam turbine

two Foster and Wheeler D-type boilers, 465psi 765°

double General Electric Main Reduction Gears

Ship's Service Generators
three turbo-drive 200Kw 120V/240V D.C.
one Diesel-drive 300Kw 120V/240V D.C.

one propeller, 8,500shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
Merchant Service Farrell Lines
100302723	123k	Miss Catherine Farrell Stapleton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Luke D. Stapleton of Norwalk Conn. who will Christen the SS African Planet at the Ingalls Shipbuilding yards in Pascagoula, inspects a model of the ship. Her mother was the former Catherine Farrell whose brothers John J. Farrell and James A. Farrell Jr. are chairman of the board and president respectively of the American South African Line, for which the new vessel is being built at the cost of $4,000,000. Mr Stapleton is general counsel director and secretary of the line. The SS African Planet is the only passenger vessel among the 14 ships being launched of Liberty Fleet Day. It is the only vessel being launched on the Gulf Coast and the largest, fastest and costliest steamer among the 14 ships. "The Chronicle-Star", Pascagoula Mississippi, Friday, September 26, 1941.	Michael Mohl
100302742	213k	A Spring 1941 construction ways view of what will be C3P&C cargo vessel *African Planet* at the Ingalls Shipbuilding yard, Pascagoula MS. She will be launched by the Navy as George Clymer (AP-57). Photo by George Strock, Life Magazine, used for educational and non-commercial purpose.	John Chiquoine
USS George Clymer (AP-57)
	68k	*Namesake* George Clymer, born in Philadelphia, Pa., 16 March 1739, was a Philadelphia merchant and prominent American patriot. Among the first to advocate complete independence from Great Britain, he became a member of the Pennsylvania Committee of Correspondence in 1774 and was elected to the Continental Congress, serving as one of two treasurers from July 1775 to August 1776. He signed the Declaration of Independence 2 August 1776. During the War of Independence, he fought in the Battle of Princeton and served on many commissions that dealt with the war and financial matters. He joined Robert Morris and others in founding the Bank of Pennsylvania in 1780. He again served in the Continental Congress from 1780 to 1783 and was an influential member of the Pennsylvania Assembly from 1785 until 1789. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and from 1789 to 1791 served in the First Congress. President Washington appointed him Supervisor of Internal Revenue for Pennsylvania in 1791, but he resigned after the Whisky Rebellion in 1794. In 1796 he served on a special commission that negotiated a treaty with the Creek and Cherokee Indians in Georgia. George Clymer enjoyed a wide reputation for patriotism, learning, and ability in financial matters. He died in Morrisville, Pa., 23 January 1813. Photo source: constitution.org	Bill Gonyo
	74k	*USS George Clymer* (AP-57)** off Norfolk Navy Yard, 1 September 1942. She is in her original configuration, with her 5"/51 low-angle gun clearly visible on the stern. US National Archives RG-19-LCM, Photo No. 19-N-34169, a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Mike Green
	52k	*USS George Clymer* (AP-57) moored pierside at Casablanca inboard of USS Hambleton (DD-455). The destroyer had been torpedoed amidships off Fedala, Morocco, 11 November 1942. Other ships present are USS Henry T. Allen (AP-30), at left, and the French merchant ship De La Salle**, at right. US National Archives photo # 80-G-21886, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
USS George Clymer (APA-27)
	216k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27) and other unidentified ships in the harbor at Noumea, New Caledonia, August 1943. Photographed from USS Nicholas (DD-449)*. US National Archives, Photo No. 80-G-56821*, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives	Mike Green
	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
100302712	93k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** underway as part of the Guam invasion task force, 20 June 1944. USS George Clymer is painted in camouflage scheme Measure 32 Design 16D. Photos are from the Dwight Spayth collection, taken from *USS Ringgold* (DD-500)**	John Chiquoine
100302724	293k
100302725	260k
100302740	117k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** anchored off Agat Beach Guam during assault operations between 21 and 23 July 1944. She had CTF53.2 and beach platoons aboard. Photo by J R Eyerman, Life Magazine, used for educational and non-commercial purpose.	John Chiquoine
100302741	78k		John Chiquoine
	167k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Hyperwar US Navy in World War II
	127k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Hyperwar US Navy in World War II
	450k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	David Buell
	64k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)**'s LCVP #3 alongside receiving a dog being lowered down in a sling.	Hyperwar US Navy in World War II
	62k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)**'s LCVP #22 underway, date and location unknown. US Navy from "Allied Landing Craft of World War Two", published by Arms and Armour Press.	Robert Hurst
100302739	272k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** entering San Diego Bay passing old Point Loma lighthouse on the hills in the background circa 1950s. Note the pilot boat alongside and large number of troops on deck that would seem to indicate she was returning from overseas or amphibious training off the California Coast.	Robert Hurst
	39k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** under way in 1951, location unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	28k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** moored pierside, circa 1951 location unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	73k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, October 1953	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	54k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** under way, circa 1953 location unknown. US Navy photo
	321k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27) moored pierside, date and location unknown. Note USS Seminole (AKA-104)** in the background. Photo by Ronald Roy SMC USN Ret.	Scott Nelson for his Grandfather Ronald Roy SMC USN Ret. USS Atlas
	72k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** at anchor off the Hawaiian Islands, 1964.	Photo by LT. Richard Dawson USS Renville.
	62k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27) (right) and USS Pickaway (APA-222)** (left) at anchor off the Hawaiian Islands, 1964.	Photo by LT. Richard Dawson USS Renville.
	68k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** at San Francisco, 7 May 1965. This ship was a relief AGC or squadron flagship. US Navy photo from "U.S.Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History" by Norman Friedman.	Robert Hurst
	208k	Personnel transfer via boatswains chair at sea between *USS George Clymer* (APA-27) and USS General J. C. Breckinridge (T-AP-176)** while in transit from Hawaii to Okinawa in May 1965.	Thomas Livingston
	93k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** passing Point Loma as she clears San Diego harbor on her way out to sea, circa October 1965. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, October 1965	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	73k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** at anchor off Danang, South Vietnam, 1965.	Photo by LT. Richard Dawson USS Renville.
100302736	610k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** anchored at Vung Tau, South Vietnam, view for one of the ship's LCVPs, 1964-1965. Photos by Gary Hornung from USS George Clymer.	Bob Canchola
100302737	918k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** mail call off South Vietnam, 1964-1965. Photos by Gary Hornung from USS George Clymer.	Bob Canchola
100302729	217k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** sending the Marines ashore at Chu Lai South Vietnam, circa 1964-1966. Photos by Gary Hornung from USS George Clymer.	Bob Canchola
100302730	952k
100302733	795k
100302732	512k
100302734	890k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** view looking from the flag bridge forward, Iwakuni, Japan, 1964-1065 Photos by Gary Hornung from USS George Clymer.	Bob Canchola
100302735	804k		Bob Canchola
100302738	856k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** moored pierside at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI. in 1966 Photos by Gary Hornung from USS George Clymer.	Bob Canchola
100302727	601k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** underway, date and location unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
100302728	694k	*USS George Clymer* (APA-27)** underway, date and location unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio

For more photos and information about USS George Clymer, see;
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
MARAD Vessel History Database
USS George Clymer General Information by LTjg. Bill Robens Comm Officer, Feb 1959 - Jan 1962

Commanding Officers
01	CAPT. Moen, Arthur Thomas, USN (USNA 1918)	15 June 1942 - 12 September 1943	AP-57 / APA-27
02	CAPT. Talbot, Frank Russell, USN (USNA 1921B) :RADM	12 September 1943 - 1 January 1944	APA-27
03	CAPT. Farrar, Murvale Talcott, USN (USNA 1923)	1 January 1944 - 5 September 1944	APA-27
04	CAPT. Snackenberg, John Arthur, USN (USNA 1921A) :RADM	5 September 1944 - 25 January 1945	APA-27
05	CAPT. Benson, William Howard (TEE), USN (USNA 1925)	25 January 1945 - 1946	APA-27
06	CAPT. Strauss, Elliott Bowman, USN (USNA 1923) :RADM	1946 - December 1946	APA-27
07	CAPT. Holbrook, John Ames, USN (USNA 1924)	December 1946 - April 1948	APA-27
08	CAPT. Taylor, John McNay, USN (USNA 1926)	April 1948 - 9 March 1949	APA-27
09	CAPT. Branneman, Leonard, USN (USNA 1926)	9 March 1949 - 23 May 1950	APA-27
10	CAPT. Lamb, Raymond Starr, USN (USNA 1926)	23 May 1950 - October 1951	APA-27
12	CAPT. Smith, Harry, USN (USNA 1930) :RADM	October 1951 - 1952	APA-27
12	CAPT. O'Donnell, Edward Joseph, USN (USNA 1929) :RADM	1952 - 1953	APA-27
13	CAPT. Laughlin Jr., William Matthew, USN	1953 - June 1954	APA-27
14	CAPT. Marshall, Edmund Sylvester Lee, USN (USNA 1930) :RADM	June 1954 - August 1954	APA-27
15	CAPT. Lockwood, Robert Elmore, USN (USNA 1931)	August 1954 - March 1957	APA-27
16	CAPT. Gardes Jr., Alfred Wiltz, USN (USNA 1937)	March 1957 - June 1957	APA-27
17	CAPT. Smith, Kerfoot Bainbridge, USN	June 1957 - May 1959	APA-27
18	CAPT. Klein, Doyen, USN (USNA 1935)	May 1959 - May 1960	APA-27
19	CAPT. Hines, Kenneth Washburn, USN	May 1960 - March 1961	APA-27
20	CAPT. Guinan, Timothy Joseph, USN (USNA 1938)	March 1961 - 24 August 1962	APA-27
21	CAPT. Rahill, Gerald Wells, USN	24 August 1962 - 30 August 1963	APA-27
22	CAPT. Smits, Cornelius Johannes, USN	30 August 1963 - 8 September 1964	APA-27
23	CAPT. Whitman, William Alexander, USN	8 September 1964 - 14 August 1965	APA-27
24	CAPT. Thomas, John Max, USN	14 August 1965 - 22 September 1966	APA-27
25	CAPT. McMullan, James Joseph, USN	22 September 1966 - 31 October 1967	APA-27
99	CAPT. Hartley, Paul James, USN	no dates	APA-27


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 10 November 2023

NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS George Clymer (APA-27)ex USS George Clymer (AP-57) (1942 - 1943)

USS George Clymer (APA-27)
ex
USS George Clymer (AP-57) (1942 - 1943)