The USS Poinsett (AK-205) was an Alamosa-class cargo ship constructed during World War II, representing the United States' efforts to supply and support Pacific theater operations. Built by the Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, she was laid down on November 6, 1943, under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 2158). The vessel was launched on May 22, 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Robert L. Rote, and acquired by the U.S. Navy on January 22, 1945. She was officially commissioned at Houston, Texas, on February 7, 1945. Following her shakedown cruise off Galveston, Texas, Poinsett loaded ammunition at Theodore, Alabama, and departed through the Panama Canal on March 21, 1945. Her operational route took her to Ulithi and later Zamboanga in the Philippine Islands, where she arrived on May 11. Her primary duty was to transport supplies and ammunition to support ongoing military campaigns. Poinsett participated notably in the invasion of Balikpapan, Borneo, beginning on July 1, 1945. After delivering supplies to the area, she continued her voyage to Morotai and the Philippines, before heading to Manus Island. While at Manus, she loaded clothing and small stores for fleet issue, but her active wartime service concluded shortly after, as she received word of Japan's surrender. Subsequently, she discharged her cargo in Manila and Guiuan, Samar. Following the end of hostilities, Poinsett returned to the United States, arriving in Norfolk, Virginia, for inactivation. She was decommissioned on January 25, 1946, and her name was struck from the Navy List in March of the same year. The vessel was sold to Bergenske Dampakibaselskab of Norway in 1947, reflagged as Carina, and later sold to South Korea, where she was renamed Masan. She remained in service until she was scrapped in 1979 in South Korea. Throughout her service, USS Poinsett earned one battle star for her participation in operations in the Borneo area, marking her contribution to the Allied war effort in the Pacific.

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