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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Lost to enemy torpedo attack, 12 November 1942, at Fedala Bay, Morocco

USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP-42)
ex
 USAT Tasker H. Bliss (1941 - 1942)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive--12 November 1942)
Bottom Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal
Tasker H. Bliss Class Transport:
  • Built in 1921 as SS President Cleveland at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, VA. for American President Lines
  • Chartered by the US Army in July 1941
  • Renamed USAT Tasker H. Bliss; Transferred to the US Navy, 19 August 1942
  • Converted for Naval service at Maryland Drydock Co., Baltimore, MD.
  • Commissioned, USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP-42), 15 September 1942, CDR. Gerald L. Schetky in command
  • During World War II USS Tasker H. Bliss was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaign;
    Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates
    North African occupation
    Algerian-Morocco landings, 8 to 12 November 1942
  • Final Disposition, sunk by enemy torpedo attack, 12 November 1942, at Fedhala Roads, Morocco
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 7 December 1942
  • USS Tasker H. Bliss received one battle star for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 12,568 t.
    Length 535'
    Beam 72' 2"
    Draft 27' 8"
    Speed 16.5 kts.
    Complement 235
    Troop Accommodations 2,435
    Armament unknown
    Propulsion steam turbine
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Tasker H. Bliss 203k
    Namesake

    Tasker Howard Bliss, born in Lewisburg, Pa., 31 December 1853, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1875. In Spain at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, he was assigned to General Wilson as Chief of 'Staff. He fought in all major engagements in Puerto Rico and was breveted a Colonel for outstanding service. After the war, Bliss served as Collector of Customs for Cuba and negotiated the treaty of reciprocity with Cuba in 1902. After several important administrative appointments in the United States and the Philippines, he was named Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army in 1915 and Chief of Staff in 1917. A scholarly yet energetic officer, General Bliss helped greatly to work out plans for American mobilization for World War I. In 1917 he was appointed to the Supreme War Council in Paris and had much to do with the negotiations leading up to the Versailles Treaty. Subsequently, he was a commissioner and a signer of the treaty. During the last years of his life, General Bliss was devoted to historical study, and was awarded many honorary degrees and the Distinguished Service Medal. He died in Washington, D.C., 9 November 1930.
    Digital ID: cph 3a36601 Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs    		 Bill Gonyo
    Tasker H. Bliss 54k Tasker H. Bliss (AP-42) underway, circa August to November 1942, location unknown.
    Photo by Edward L. Walger PH2 USN, 1942-1945         		Barbara Walger
    View the Tasker H. Bliss (AP-42)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center (Note Name Misspelled)
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 25 April 2008