The USS Bellatrix (AK-20/AKA-3) was an Arcturus-class attack cargo ship built for the United States Navy, with a notable service record during World War II and the Korean War. Originally constructed as a C2-T class merchant marine cargo ship named Raven, she was built by Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Inc., in Tampa, Florida. The vessel was laid down on April 16, 1941, and transferred to the War Shipping Administration shortly after, before being reclassified and renamed Bellatrix on August 15, 1941. She was launched the same year, sponsored by Miss Sally Taliafero, and named after the star Bellatrix in the constellation Orion, which signifies "female warrior." Commissioned on February 17, 1942, under Commander W.F. Dietrich, Bellatrix was assigned to the Pacific theater, where she played a vital role in amphibious operations. She participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal in August 1942, delivering troops and supplies in support of the initial assault and subsequent reinforcement efforts. In 1943, she was transferred to the Mediterranean Theater, taking part in the Allied invasion of Sicily. After a repair delay due to engine failure during a mission to the Gilbert Islands, she returned to the U.S. for repairs. In 1944, Bellatrix joined the amphibious fleet led by General Holland Smith, contributing to the invasion of Saipan by delivering soldiers from the 27th Infantry Division on July 16, just days before the Japanese defeat. This operation marked her last combat mission in WWII. Following the war, she was decommissioned in April 1946 and returned to the Maritime Commission. Reactivated during the Korean War, Bellatrix was recommissioned in May 1952, serving until 1955 with cargo and training duties. She was then placed in reserve, transferred to Peru in 1963, and renamed BAP Independencia. The vessel remained in service until 1991, when she was sold for scrap. While being towed to the scrapyard, she sank, marking the end of her maritime service.

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