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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30)
ex
USS Thomas Jefferson (AP-60) (1942 - 1943)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Bravo - Sierra - Romeo
NBSR
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended)
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (5) - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1)
Third Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal
Fourth Row - Korean Service Medal (5) - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal


President Jackson Class Transport:
  • Laid down, 5 February 1940, as SS President Garfield, a Maritime Commission type (C3-P) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 56), at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Corp. Newport News VA., for American President Lines
  • Renamed SS Thomas Jefferson, prior to launching
  • Launched, 20 November 1940
  • Delivered to American President Lines, 26 March 1941
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 1 May 1942
  • Converted to a Naval Transport by her builders
  • Commissioned, 31 August 1942, as USS Thomas Jefferson (AP-60), CDR. Chauncey R. Crutcher USN in command
  • During World War II USS Thomas Jefferson was first assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and later to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater:
    TransRon Eighteen, COMO. J. G. Moyer USN (14);
    TransDiv Fifty-Two participating in the following campaigns:

    Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
    North African occupation
    Algeria-Morocco landings, 8 to 11 November 1942
    Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 1 April to 27 June 1945
    Sicilian occupation
    Scoglitti, 9 to 15 July 1943
     
    Salerno landings 9 to 21 September 1943  
    Invasion of Normandy, 6 to 25 June 1944  
    Invasion of southern France, 15 August to 25 September 1944  

  • Reclassified as Attack Transport (APA-30), 1 February 1943
  • Following World War II USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

    Navy Occupation Service Medal

    China Service Medal (extended)
    16 to 26 September 194530 May to 7 June 1947
    19 to 24 October 19455 to 10 March 1948
    25 to 28 May 194726 February to 4 March 1949
    8 to 11 June 194726 to 30 March 1949
    6 to 10 March 1949 
    1 to 8 April 1949 
    14 to 24 June 1949 
    13 to 16 July 1949 

  • Assigned to the Naval Transport Service (NTS), 4 January 1946
  • Assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 31 October 1949
  • During the Korean War USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) participated in the following campaigns:

    Korean War Campaigns
    Campaigns and Dates Campaigns and Dates
    North Korean Aggression
    21 to 26 September 1950
    30 October to 2 November1950
    Communist China Spring Offensive
    26 May 1951
    Communist China Aggression
    3 to 9 November 1950
    UN Summer-Fall Offensive 13and 25 August 1951
    First UN Counter Offensive
    2 to 3 April 1951
     

  • Decommissioned, 18 July 1955, at San Francisco, CA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register 1 October 1958
  • USS Thomas Jefferson earned six battle stars for World War II service and five battle stars for Korean War service
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission, 14 November 1958, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 6 February 1961, (PD-X-595 for $52,745.50) to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) Terminal Island, CA., withdrawn from the Reserve Fleet, 17 April 1961
    Specifications:
    Displacement 16,175 t (fl)
    Length 492'
    Beam 69' 6"
    Draft 26' 6"
    Speed 18.4 kts (trial)
    Complement
    Officers 58
    Enlisted 535
    Troop Accommodations
    Officers 68
    Enlisted 1,197
    Largest Boom Capacity 30 t.
    Cargo Capacity 3,500 t. DWT non-refrigerated 175,000 Cu ft.
    Armament
    four single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mounts
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    eighteen single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Fuel Capacities
    NSFO 9,560
    Diesel 375 Bbls
    Propulsion
    one Newport News Shipbuilding geared turbine
    two Babcock and Wilcox header-type boilers 450psi 750°
    double Westinghouse Main Reduction Gears
    four turbo-drive 300Kw 120V/240V D.C. Ship's Service Generators
    single propeller, 8,500shp

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Maritime Commission - SS President Garfield
    Thomas Jefferson
    100303014
    171k SS President Garfield in a construction drydock at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Corp. Newport News VA. in 1940.
    Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock photo.
    Dale Hargrave
    Thomas Jefferson
    100303016
    162k Launching of SS President Garfield at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Corp. Newport News VA., 20 November1940. The President Garfield's sponsor was Miss Eugenia Merrill.
    Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock photos
    Dale Hargrave
    Thomas Jefferson
    100303015
    284k
    USS Thomas Jefferson (AP-60)
    Thomas Jefferson 249k
    Namesake

    Thomas Jefferson was born at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Va., 13 April 1743 and graduated from William and Mary College in 1762. He was admitted to the bar 5 years later. In 1769 he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses where he soon became a leader of the patriot faction and helped form the Virginia Committee of Correspondence. He maintained that the colonies were not subject to Parliament but were bound to England only by allegiance to the Crown. Jefferson was sent to the Continental Congress in June 1775, and a year later he was entrusted with writing the Declaration of Independence. He returned to the Virginia legislature in October 1776 where he labored to reform the new state on democratic principles. He succeeded Patrick Henry as governor in 1779 and held that office until 1781. Jefferson succeeded Franklin as Minister to France in 1785 and, after his return in 1789, became the Nation's first Secretary of State.' Growing differences with Alexander Hamilton prompted him to resign from Washington's cabinet 31 December 1793, and he subsequently led growing opposition to the Federalist party. From 1797 to 1801 he was Vice President and he defeated John Adams in the presidential election of 1800. Upon entering the White House, Jefferson introduced a more democratic tone to public life, and his two terms as Chief Executive were marked by careful administration and rare frugality. Highlights of his presidency included the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the Navy's victory over the Barbary pirates. Their valiant and skillful fighting in the struggle with the North African corsairs gave American seamen some of their most colorful and cherished memories while strengthening the new nation's position as a power worthy of respect. In retirement Jefferson exerted great political and intellectual influence as he worked to establish the University of Virginia. His brilliant career was brought to a fitting close when he died 4 July 1826, the 50th anniversary of his immortal Declaration of Independence. Perhaps Jefferson's place in American history was best measured by President Kennedy while entertaining the Nobel Prize winners of the Western Hemisphere. "... I think," the President told his distinguished guests, "this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."
    Copy of painting by Rembrandt Peale, circa 1805
    National Archives and Records Administration
    Bill Gonyo
    Thomas Jefferson 89k USS Thomas Jefferson (AP-60) off Norfolk Navy Yard, 23 September 1942. Note the single 5"/51 low-angle gun on the stern, with two 3"/50 dual-purpose and two 20mm anti-aircraft guns just forward of and above it.
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, photo # 19-N-35841, a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.
    Mike Green
    Thomas Jefferson 295k USS Thomas Jefferson (AP-60) off Norfolk Navy Yard, 23 September 1942. (Although labeled APA-30, this is AP-60 on the date this photo was taken.)
    US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics photo # X1648 for Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet
    Steve Franklin
    Thomas Jefferson 87k USS Thomas Jefferson (AP-60) probably off Norfolk Navy Yard, in September 1942. National Archives, College Park, Record Group 313, US Navy CINCPAC Confidential Files 1943-45, a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives. Tracy White
    USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30)
    Thomas Jefferson
    100303017
    182k USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) at anchor, 3 February 1944, possibly at Norfolk, VA.
    U.S. Navy photo
    Darryl Baker
    LCT-814
    1018081401
    3402k Various ships and small craft in the harbor at Portland, England, circa 30 April- 5 June 1944. Ships and small craft present include from right to left: LCT(6)-814, LCT(6)-815, LCT(6)-768, LCT(5)-364 and APA-30 Thomas Jefferson at anchor while making preparations for Operations Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, France.
    TimeLife. TimeLife_image_16688928, Photographer David Scherman. For personal non-commercial use only.
    David Upton
    Thomas Jefferson
    19-N-97550
    87k USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) off the Norfolk Navy Yard, 6 December 1944. Her 5"/51 gun aft has been removed and two twin 40 mm anti-aircraft mounts have been added, one forward above and between the two raised 3"/50 gun tubs and one aft. She is painted in camouflage Measure 32/6T.
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo #'s 19-N-97550 and 19-N-97551 US Navy Bureau of Ships photos now in the collections of the National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.
    Mike Green
    Thomas Jefferson
    19-N-97551
    104k
    Thomas Jefferson 112k
    Thomas Jefferson
    100303013
    279k A troop train delivering soldiers of the US Army 45th Infantry Division at Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, circa June 1943, for boarding of USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) and USS James O'Hara (APA-90) for overseas duty. The 45th Infantry Division saw extensive service in the Italian campaigns, southern France, the Rhineland and central Europe.
    National Archives Identifier 138925976, U.S. Army Signal Corps photo HR-229 S/S Pier; N/S HR-233, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News Virginia.
    David Upton
    James O'hara
    100309024
    279k
    Thomas Jefferson 62k USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) under way, date and location unknown
    US Navy photo from "Jane's Fighting Ships" 1958-59 Edition, courtesy Ted Stone.
    Robert Hurst
    Thomas Jefferson 946k USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) at anchor in San Francisco Bay, circa June 1954. US Navy photo from the photo archives of the San Francisco Examiner. Printed in the 15 June 1954 issue of the San Francisco Examiner. David Bella
    Thomas Jefferson 140k USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) outbound to sea passing under the Golden Gate Bridge as she exits San Francisco Bay, date unknown.
    US Navy photo.
    Jim Kurrasch
    Battleship Iowa Pacific Battleship Center

    USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01CAPT. Crutcher, Chauncey Rolfe, USN (USNA 1918)31 August 1942 - 10 September 1942AP-60
    02CAPT. Gulbranson, Clarence10 September 1942 - 17 March 1943AP-60 / APA-30
    03CAPT. Welch, Philip Pindell, USN (USNA 1919)17 March 1943 - 24 January 1944APA-30
    04CAPT. Barbaro, Joseph Raphael, USN (USNA 1921B) :RADM24 January 1944 - 14 July 1945APA-30
    05CAPT. Madden, John Fitzpatrick, USN (USNA 1921B)14 July 1945 - 25 November 1947APA-30
    06CAPT. Pullen, Harold Frederick, USN (USNA 1922) :RADM25 November 1947 - September 1948APA-30
    07CAPT. Williams, Harold Nordmark19 September 1948 - 13 May 1949APA-30
    08CAPT. Jacobs, Tyrrell Dwight, USN (USNA 1927)1950 - January 1951APA-30
    09CAPT. Dickie, Arthur Bigelow, USN (USNA 1924)January 1951 - October 1952APA-30
    10CAPT. Miller, Albert Stanley, USN (USNA 1930)October 1952 - ?APA-30
    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
    USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30)
    MARAD Vessel History Database
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    Last Updated 30 June 2023