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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS President Hayes (APA-20)
ex
 USS President Hayes (AP-39) (1941 - 1943)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Charlie - Charlie - Mike
 NCCM
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbons (retroactive) - Navy Unit Commendation
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (7) - World War II Victory Medal
Third Row - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - Philippines Presidential Unit Citation - Philippines Liberation Medal (1)
President Jackson Class Transport
  • Laid down, 26 December 1939, as SS President Hayes, a Maritime Commission type (C3 P & C) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 55), at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp., Newport News, VA.
  • Launched, 4 October 1940
  • Completed and delivered to American President Lines, 20 February 1941
  • Acquired by the Navy, 7 July 1941
  • Commissioned USS President Hayes (AP-39), 15 December 1941, CDR. Francis Wyse Benson USN in command
  • Redesignated Attack Transport, (APA-20), 1 February 1943
  • During World War II USS President Hayes was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater:
    TransRon Eleven, COMO. D.W. Loomis USN (18);
    TransDiv Thirty-Two, 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 Treasury-Bougainville operation
    Occupation and defense of Cape Torokina, 1, 8 and 9 November 1943
    Capture and defense of Guadalcanal, 4 November 1942 Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Guam, 21 to 26 July 1944
    Consolidation of Solomon Islands
    Consolidation of southern Solomons, 17 February 1943     		Leyte operation
    Leyte landings, 20 October 1944
    New Georgia Group operation
    New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu operation, 30 June 1943     		 

  • Following World War II USS President Hayes was assigned to Occupation service from 1 to 29 October 1945
  • Decommissioned, 30 June 1949, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Stockton Group, Stockton, CA., 28 November 1950
  • Struck from the Naval Register and transferred to the Maritime Administration, 1 October 1958, for lay up in the National Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.
  • USS President Hayes earned seven battle stars for World War II service
  • Permanent custody transferred to the Maritime Administration, 23 October 1958
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 8 May 1975, to Levin Metals Corp. (PD-X-996 dated 25 March 1975) for $ 381,777.00, Withdrawn from the Reserve Fleet, 2 June 1975
    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
    Maritime Administration
    President Hayes 95k
    Namesake

    Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th U.S. President serving from March 4, 1877 to March 3, 1881.    		 Bill Gonyo
    President Hayes
    100302029    		 126k SS President Hayes sponsor, Mrs. Cordell Hull, wife of Secretary of State Cordell Hull,, breaks the traditional bottle of Champagne across the ship's bow during launching ceremonies at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Corp., Newport News, VA., 4 October 1940. Dale Hargrave
    President Hayes
    100302028    		 82k
    President Hayes
    100302030    		 412k
    USS President Hayes (AP-39)
    President Hayes 114k USS President Hayes (AP-39) at the Norfolk Navy Yard, 2 January 1942, shortly after commissioning.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26565, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Mike Green
    President Hayes 134k USS President Hayes (AP-39) at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 2 January 1942. Note the embarkation ladder and boat boom stowed on the hull side, and the kingposts and booms forward of the bridge structure.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26562, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 117k Aft plan view of USS President Hayes (AP-39) at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 2 January 1942. Note the landing craft davits on her superstructure and the LCVP landing craft alongside, below the lowered after davits.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26563, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 117k Overhead view of USS President Hayes (AP-39) looking forward from just off the starboard quarter, while the ship was at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 2 January 1942. Note the after 3"/50 guns in the lower part of the image, and men handling a container of garbage at the head of the gangway nearby. The covered lighter YF-244 is alongside the battleship in upper left.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26559, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 185k Overhead view of USS President Hayes (AP-39) looking forward from just off the starboard side amidships, while the ship was at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 2 January 1942. Note her large smokestack, with a rather small exhaust at its after end, ship's bell mounted on the smokestack base, and the landing craft davits on the midships' superstructure. The covered lighter YF-244 is alongside the battleship at left.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26561, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 186k Scene on board USS President Hayes (AP-39), while the ship was at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 2 January 1942. The view looks forward from the bridge, with an open hatch in the foreground, cargo-handling gear and a motor launch beyond. The elevated 3"/50 gun platform at the bow is beyond the boat.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26560, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 142k USS President Hayes (AP-39), at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 2 January 1942. The view looks aft from just below the forward gun position, with a motor launch and boat stowage cradles in the foreground.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26557, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 169k USS President Hayes (AP-39), while the ship was at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 2 January 1942. The view looks forward from the after gun position, with cargo-handling booms visible on kingposts and associated winches nearby.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-26558, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 58k USS President Hayes (AP-39), loading supplies, probably at San Diego, CA., during the first half of 1942. The open lighter YC-362 is alongside, with partially disassembled aircraft on board.
    US National Archives photo # 80-G-457907, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 111k US Marine Corps LVT(1) amphibian tractors move toward the beach on Guadalcanal Island. This view was probably taken during the 7-9 August 1942 initial landings on Guadalcanal. USS President Hayes (AP-39) is in the background.
    US Navy photo # NH 97749, from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 111k US Marine Corps LVT(1) amphibian tractors move toward the beach on Guadalcanal Island. This view was probably taken during the 7-9 August 1942 initial landings on Guadalcanal. USS President Hayes (AP-39) is in the background.
    US Navy photo # NH 97749, from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes
    100302032    		 127k USS President Hayes (AP-39) in the floating drydock at Wellington, New Zealand, having her hull scraped, 11 October 1942.
    Photo from Museum Of Wellington, used for educational and non-commercial purpose.    		 John Chiquoine
    USS President Hayes (APA-20)
    President Hayes 132k View of USS President Hayes (APA-20), port side amidships, taken while she was at the U.S. Naval Drydocks Hunters Point, San Francisco, CA., 19 January 1945. Note the LCVP landing craft stowed below davits amidships and on deck by the kingposts; 20mm gun positions atop the kingposts, cargo-handling gear on deck, and life rafts with provisions casks. Circles mark recent alterations.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-81337, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes 100k USS President Hayes (APA-20), port side amidships, taken while she was at the U.S. Naval Drydocks at Hunters Point, San Francisco, California, on 19 January 1945. Note the LCVP landing craft stowed below davits amidships and life rafts with provisions casks hung on the ship's side. Circles mark recent alterations.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-81335, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    President Hayes
    100302033    		 110k USS President Hayes (APA-20) in port, circa 1945. Note the 5 inch gun on the stern and 3 inch/50 AA guns on raised platforms forward and aft. Landing craft are carried in davits and as deck cargo with many others moored in the water by the ship.
    Australian War Memorial ID Number: 302709    		 Robert Hurst
    President Hayes 186k USS President Hayes (APA-20) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Tom Edrington
    President Hayes 121k USS President Hayes (APA-20) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		  
    President Hayes
    100302031     		330k USS President Hayes (APA-20) entering San Francisco Bay circa 1946-49. Marin County head & Kirby Cove in the upper portion of photo. Darryl Baker
    President Hayes 268k USS President Hayes (APA-20), wardroom farewell dinner menu, date unknown. Tom Edrington
    USS President Hayes (AP-39 / APA-20)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01CDR. Benson, Francis Wyse, USN (USNA 1917) :RADM15 December 1941 - 20 July 1943
    02CAPT. Flanagan, Henry Clinton, USN 20 July 1943 - 6 December 1943
    03CAPT. Baker, Harold Davies, USN (USNA 1922) :VADM6 December 1943 - 17 April 1944
    05CAPT. Schieke, Herman Edward, USN17 April 1944 - 1 January 1945
    05CAPT. Rutt, Burnice Lincoln, USN (USNA 1924)1 January 1945 - 20 February 1946
    06CAPT. Huckins, Thomas Averill, USN (USNA 1924)20 February 1946 - 10 April 1948
    07CAPT. Williams, Henry Goodman. USN (USNA 1921-A)10 April 1948 - April 1949
    08CAPT. Woodfin Jr., Richard Henry, USN (USNA 1938)April 1949 - 30 June 1949
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional 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
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    Last Updated 10 November 2023