The USS Aurelia (AKA-23) was an Artemis-class attack cargo ship constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. Built under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1884), she was laid down on 5 February 1944 by Walsh-Kaiser Co., Inc., in Providence, Rhode Island. The ship was launched on 4 July 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Roy P. Mills, and commissioned on 14 October 1944. She was named "Aurelia," a Latin term meaning "The Golden One." Designed as an attack cargo ship, Aurelia featured the capacity to carry troops, cargo, and landing craft to support amphibious operations. Her early service involved shakedown training in Chesapeake Bay, followed by her departure to Hawaii via the Panama Canal, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 17 December 1944. She quickly became active in the Pacific theater, transporting troops and supplies to strategic locations such as Eniwetok, Guam, and Leyte. In March 1945, Aurelia took part in the Okinawa campaign, embarking combat troops and supporting the landings on D-Day, 1 April 1945. She operated in the Okinawa area until 14 April, after which she returned to Saipan and then to Hawaii. Her operations included amphibious training and cargo transportation between Pacific islands. She was present at Pearl Harbor when Japan surrendered in August 1945, and subsequently participated in occupation duties in Japan, notably disembarking Marines at Sasebo. Following the war, Aurelia was part of the Magic Carpet fleet, repatriating U.S. servicemen from the Pacific. She completed her final voyage back to San Francisco in January 1946. She was decommissioned on 14 March 1946 at Orange, Texas, transferred to the Maritime Commission, and her name was struck from the Navy list on 19 June 1946. The vessel remained in reserve until she was scrapped in 1972. During her service, Aurelia earned one battle star for her participation in World War II operations.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.