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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Bladen (APA-63)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Kilo - Mike - Papa
 NKMP
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Gilliam Class Attack Transport
  • Laid down, 8 March 1944, as a Maritime Commission type (S4-SE2-BD1) hull under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1856) at Consolidated Steel Corp, Wilmington, CA.
  • Launched, 31 May 1944
  • Acquired by the Navy from the Maritime Commission, 17 October 1944
  • Commissioned USS Bladen (APA-63), 18 October 1944, LCDR. Walter Paul Hartung in command
  • During World War II USS Bladen was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 19 to 28 February 1945     		Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 1 to 10 April 1945

  • Following World War II USS Bladen was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East from 14 to 26 October 1945
  • Decommissioned, 26 December 1946, at Norfolk, VA
  • Berthed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet until August 1953
  • Returned the Maritime Administration, 3 August 1953, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 20 October 1953
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping in 1960
  • USS Bladen earned two battle stars for her World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,247 t.(lt), 7,080 t.(fl)
    Length 426'
    Beam 58'
    Draft 16'
    Speed 16.9 kts.
    Complement
    Officers 27
    Enlisted 293
    Troop Accommodations
    Officers 47
    Enlisted 802
    Largest Boom Capacity 15 t.
    Cargo Capacity 600 DWT
    non-refrigerated 85,000 cu. ft.
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    ten single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Fuel Capacities
    NSFO 9,695 Bbls
    Diesel 375 Bbls
    Propulsion
    two Westinghouse steam turbines
    two Babcock & Wilcox D-type boilers, 450psi 750°
    Ships Service Generators
    two turbo-drive 250Kw, 450V A.C.
    one turbo-drive 150Kw, 450V A.C.
    two turbo-drive 100Kw 120V/240V D.C.
    two propellers, 6,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Bladen 50k USS Bladen (APA-63) underway, date and location unknown. Norman Hinga in honor of his father Edward C. Hinga USS Bladen 1943-45.
    Bladen 125k USS Bladen (APA-63) underway, date and location unknown. Bradley J. Cate for his father, Merle P. Cate USNR USS Bladen.
    USS Bladen (APA-63)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    An Informal Biography of USS Bladen provided by Bradley J. Cate for his father, Merle P. Cate, USNR, signalman USS Bladen
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 18 November 2011