The USS Lenoir (AKA-74) was a Tolland-class attack cargo ship constructed during World War II, serving in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. Built by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company in Wilmington, North Carolina, she was laid down on September 7, 1944, launched on November 6, 1944, and commissioned on December 14, 1944. The vessel’s commissioning marked the beginning of her active service during the final years of the war. The Lenoir’s operational history commenced with her departure from Norfolk on January 21, 1945, heading toward the Pacific Theater. She arrived at Pearl Harbor on February 20, and subsequently touched at Eniwetok in late March. Her most notable combat role occurred during the Okinawa campaign, where she arrived off Hagushi Beach on April 17, 1945, to unload cargo within 72 hours despite coming under air attack, though she sustained no damage. Following her service at Okinawa, she traveled to Saipan, Guadalcanal, and Guam, before returning to San Francisco in July 1945. Later, she participated in the post-war "Magic Carpet" operations, transporting troops and personnel to Japan, China, Korea, and back to the United States. Decommissioned on June 13, 1946, and returned to the Maritime Commission the following day, the USS Lenoir transitioned into commercial service, operating under various names including SS Margaret Lykes, SS Gulf Merchant, SS Del Aires, SS Columbia Tiger, and SS Antillian Tiger. She was sold multiple times, reflecting her continued utility in commercial shipping until she was finally scrapped in 1971. Throughout her military service, USS Lenoir earned one battle star for her participation in World War II. Her service exemplifies the vital logistical support provided by attack cargo ships during critical amphibious operations and their subsequent roles in commercial maritime activities.

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