The USS Lyon (AP-71) was a United States Navy transport ship built on a type C3 hull, specifically designed for maritime service during World War II. Originally constructed as the Mormactide under a Maritime Commission contract by Ingalls Shipbuilding Company in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the vessel was laid down on August 21, 1939, and launched on October 12, 1940, sponsored by Gloria McGehee. Mormactide was intended primarily for Moore-McCormack Lines’ South American trade, featuring advanced cargo air conditioning systems and being the third ship built for this purpose by Ingalls. The ship was completed in April 1941 and initially operated under Moore-McCormack Lines. It was turned over to the War Shipping Administration in March 1942 for wartime service, under an Army Transportation Corps agreement. In August 1942, the vessel was transferred to the Custody of the War Department, and shortly thereafter, acquired by the Navy on September 13, 1942. Renamed USS Lyon after Mary Lyon, the ship underwent conversion at Atlantic Basin Iron Works in Brooklyn and was commissioned on September 16, 1942. During World War II, USS Lyon served as an Elizabeth C. Stanton-class transport, actively participating in major operations. She assisted in the invasion of French Morocco (Operation Torch), crossing the Atlantic safely to Safi in November 1942, and transported reinforcements to North Africa multiple times. She supported the Sicily landings (Operation Husky) in July 1943, and the Salerno landings in September 1943, reinforcing Allied forces in Europe. In 1944, Lyon transported personnel to Scotland and participated in the Allied landings in southern France (Operation Dragoon), earning her fourth battle star. Later, she was transferred to the Pacific Theater, where she supported the Okinawa campaign in 1945, successfully repelling kamikaze attacks and earning five battle stars for her wartime service. Post-war, she transported occupation troops and prisoners of war before returning to the United States and decommissioning on May 3, 1946. After her naval service, she reverted to her original name Mormactide under Moore-McCormack Lines, later being sold to Grace Lines in 1966 and renamed Santa Regina. Ultimately, she was sold for scrap in Taiwan in January 1967, marking the end of her maritime career. The USS Lyon is notable for its extensive wartime service, participation in key Allied operations, and recognition with five battle stars.

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