The USS Supply (IX-147/AVS-1) was a U.S. Navy aviation stores issue ship that served during World War II, originally constructed as the Ward, a Design 1037 freighter built in 1921 by Doullet & Williams in New Orleans, Louisiana. The vessel was delivered to the United States Shipping Board (USSB) in May 1921 and initially operated by the American Pioneer Lines from 1921 to 1940, primarily running routes between New York and Australian ports. In 1929, her boilers were replaced with diesel engines, enhancing her propulsion. She was renamed Exton in 1940 under the American Export Lines, but reverted to Ward when acquired by the U.S. Maritime Commission in 1942. In late 1943, the U.S. Navy identified her as suitable for conversion into an aviation stores issue ship to support Pacific theater operations. She underwent significant modifications at Pearl Harbor, including the installation of storage shelves, bins, and facilities for handling aviation equipment and engines. The ship was commissioned into naval service as USS Supply (IX-147) on 8 February 1944. Throughout her wartime service, USS Supply operated primarily as a floating aviation supply depot. She traveled from Pearl Harbor to locations such as Majuro, Roi-Namur, Yap, Peleliu, Ulithi, Guam, Saipan, and Okinawa, providing essential aircraft stores and logistical support for fleet operations. Her duties included discharging cargo to seaplane tenders, transferring bulk stores, and supporting the establishment of supply depots in forward areas. Notably, she arrived at Okinawa just before the end of hostilities, remaining there until November 1945. After the war, USS Supply returned to the United States, arriving in San Diego in December 1945, and was subsequently decommissioned in February 1946. She was placed in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet and sold in 1947. For her service during World War II, USS Supply received one battle star. Her operational history highlights her vital logistical role in supporting naval air operations across the Pacific theater.

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