The USS Joseph Hewes (AP-50/APA-22) was a United States Navy troop transport vessel that served during World War II. Originally launched in 1930 as the SS Excalibur by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey, she was a luxurious passenger-cargo liner and part of the American Export Lines "4 Aces" sister ships, which included SS Exeter, SS Excambion, and SS Exochorda. The ship's typical service involved transatlantic routes between New York and European ports, including Marseille, Naples, Alexandria, Jaffa, Haifa, and Beirut. Notably, in August 1940, she transported the Duke and Duchess of Windsor from Lisbon to the Bahamas and was involved in the confiscation of artworks in Bermuda later that year. In 1942, the vessel was acquired by the U.S. Navy, converted for military use, and commissioned on May 1, 1942, as USS Joseph Hewes (AP-50). Her conversion included outfitting for troop and cargo transport, transforming her from a luxury liner into a troopship. She was part of the Western Naval Task Force's Center Attack Group during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French Morocco. On November 8, 1942, she disembarked troops and supplies at Fedhala, carrying 80 officers and 1,074 men of the 3rd Infantry Division, along with ammunition and supplies. Her service was abruptly ended on November 11, 1942, when she was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-173 in Fedala Roads. The attack caused her to settle by the bow amid rapidly flooding compartments. Despite efforts to beach her, the crew was forced to abandon ship, and she sank at 2032 hours, taking Captain Robert McLanahan Smith Jr. and approximately 100 crew members with her. Captain Smith was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his heroic leadership during the attack. The ship received several awards, including the Combat Action Ribbon, the American Campaign Medal, and the Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal with a battle star. Her sinking marked a significant event in the naval battles surrounding Operation Torch and exemplifies her role in maritime military history.

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