The USS Pleiades (AK-46) was a cargo vessel commissioned by the U.S. Navy during World War II, primarily tasked with transporting military personnel, equipment, and supplies to various war zones. Originally built in 1939 as MS Mangalia for the Romanian State Maritime Service by Cantieri Navali Riuniti in Palermo, Italy, the ship was taken over by the U.S. Maritime Commission while idle in New York City on June 25, 1941. Under Public Law 101 and Executive Order 8771, the vessel was acquired from WSA on August 11, 1941, renamed Pleiades (AK-46) on September 3, 1941, and commissioned into Navy service on October 25, 1941. Following a brief shakedown, Pleiades began convoy operations, with her first voyage taking her through U-boat-infested waters to Iceland in November 1941. She completed ten convoy runs by July 1943, including six to Iceland and four to the United Kingdom. Notably, she participated in convoy SC 107 in October 1942, which endured a fierce wolfpack attack that resulted in the sinking of 15 ships and the damaging of one, highlighting the perilous nature of Atlantic shipping during the war. In July 1943, Pleiades shifted to Brazilian supply runs, serving along the South American coast until November, when she returned to the North Atlantic. In July 1944, she was converted into a general stores issue vessel, joining Service Force, Atlantic, before deploying to the Mediterranean. She delivered supplies to Naples, Italy, and later to southern France, acting as a flagship for convoy operations and distributing essential goods to U.S. 8th Fleet units. After returning to the U.S., Pleiades continued logistical missions, including sugar runs in the Caribbean. She was decommissioned on November 21, 1945, and transferred back to the Maritime Commission, resuming merchant service as SS Scepter. Her service during WWII earned her two battle stars, marking her as a significant logistical asset in Allied naval operations.

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