The USS Ozark (LSV–2/CM-7/AP-107/MCS-2) was a Catskill-class vehicle landing ship constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. Originally laid down as CM–7 by the Willamette Iron and Steel Corporation in Portland, Oregon, on 12 July 1941, she was launched on 15 June 1942 and sponsored by Mrs. A. J. Byrholdt. At the time of her construction, she was among the largest naval vessels built in the Columbia River area, with a construction cost of approximately $12.5 million. She was redesignated multiple times, becoming AP–107 on 1 May 1943 and later LSV–2 on 21 April 1944, before being commissioned on 23 September 1944. Although she was launched during wartime, Ozark appears not to have been fully completed or delivered to active service until her commissioning in late 1944. Following shakedown, she sailed to Manus in the Admiralty Islands and joined the 7th Fleet's 3rd Amphibious Force. She played a significant role in several major Pacific Theater operations, including the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in January 1945, where she supplied 15 DUKWs for the initial assault. She also participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima in February 1945, landing troops and providing logistical support until late February. Her service extended to the Okinawa campaign in April 1945, where she again delivered troops and equipment. After World War II, Ozark transported occupation units to Japan, including a notable operation where 911 personnel were transferred at sea via breeches buoy from numerous aircraft carriers and battleships. She arrived in Tokyo Bay on 30 August 1945 and participated in the "Magic Carpet" missions, returning troops to the United States. Decommissioned on 29 June 1946, she was later redesignated MCS–2 in 1955 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1961. Reacquired and converted into a mine countermeasures support ship in the mid-1960s, Ozark was recommissioned in 1966 and served as flagship for Mine Forces in the Atlantic Fleet. She operated in European waters, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean until her decommissioning in 1974. Subsequently, she was used as a target and eventually sank after being hit by a missile in 1981. Her wreck lies upright in the Gulf of Mexico at approximately 330 feet depth. Ozark earned three battle stars for her service during World War II and was awarded the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge, marking her as a vessel of notable wartime contribution and maritime significance.

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