The USS Custer (AP-85/APA-40) was a Bayfield-class attack transport built during World War II, launched as SS Sea Eagle on November 6, 1942, by Ingalls Shipbuilding Company in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Originally designed to carry 12 passengers, a crew of 52, and a cargo capacity of 16,628 tons, the vessel was constructed under a U.S. Maritime Commission contract. The ship was transferred to the U.S. Navy on January 23, 1943, and renamed USS Custer in honor of various Custer counties across the United States. Following her commissioning at Bethlehem Steel's Hoboken Shipyard on August 18, 1943, Custer underwent a 159-day conversion into an attack transport, equipped with landing craft for amphibious operations. Her initial trials occurred on July 28, 1943, and she subsequently underwent repairs before sailing to Norfolk, Virginia, in August. She was fitted with 26 LCVPs and 2 LCM(3)s landing craft, enabling her to land troops and equipment during amphibious assaults. Throughout her service in World War II, USS Custer participated in numerous significant campaigns. She was involved in the Marshall Islands operation, landing troops at Eniwetok in February 1944, and was part of the assaults on Saipan, Guam, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, and Okinawa. She also supported the occupation of Japan, transporting troops to Sasebo. The ship was actively engaged in amphibious landings, troop transport, casualty evacuation, and cargo operations across the Pacific theater. Her combat record earned her six battle stars. Decommissioned on May 24, 1946, USS Custer was struck from the Navy List two months later. She was sold to Moore McCormack Line in 1948, renamed SS Mormacmar, and later sold to Grace Lines Inc. in 1966, becoming SS Santa Ana. The vessel was ultimately scrapped in 1973 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Her service was marked by her vital role in numerous Pacific amphibious operations, making her a notable example of wartime attack transport vessels.

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