The USS Osage (AN-3/AP-108/LSV-3/MCS-3) was the lead vessel of her class of vehicle landing ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Originally laid down as a netlayer AN-3 on June 1, 1942, at Pascagoula, Mississippi, by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation, she was later redesignated as a transport (AP-108) on May 1, 1943, and launched on December 1, 1943. The vessel was sponsored by Mrs. Dorothy K. McHenry and was transferred to the Tampa Shipbuilding Company for completion sometime during her construction period. She was redesignated as a vehicle landing ship (LSV-3) on April 21, 1944, and commissioned on December 30, 1944. Following her shakedown cruise out of Galveston, Texas, Osage embarked 703 officers and men of the 126th Naval Construction Battalion and loaded 29 amphibian trucks (DUKW) at New Orleans. She transited the Panama Canal on February 8, 1945, en route to Pearl Harbor for amphibious training off Maui. In March 1945, she joined Task Force 51 at Ulithi and proceeded to Okinawa, arriving on April 11. During the Okinawa campaign, Osage endured enemy air attacks, frequently going to general quarters, laying smoke screens, and firing upon Japanese aircraft to defend unloading operations. She completed offloading within five days despite these threats. Subsequently, Osage transported vehicles and troops to Peleliu and then proceeded to Saipan, where she launched her remaining vehicles and began repairs. Her voyage took her to Nouméa, New Caledonia, in June 1945, where she underwent engine repairs and trials before returning to the Pacific theater, including Guam and Saipan. During her service, she participated in post-voyage repairs, training, and transport missions, including transporting troops and equipment in the Philippines and Japan. After the cessation of hostilities, Osage supported "Magic Carpet" operations, repatriating veterans from Okinawa and Japan to the United States. She made multiple voyages between the Far East and the U.S., including trips to Shanghai, Buckner Bay, and San Francisco. She was decommissioned and placed in reserve on May 16, 1947. Redesignated as a mine warfare command and support ship (MCS-3) in 1956, she remained in reserve until her final disposition. The vessel was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1961, transferred to the Maritime Administration in 1962, and ultimately sold for scrap in 1974. The USS Osage was awarded one battle star for her World War II 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.