The USS Thurston (AP-77) was a troop transport vessel built during World War II, originally laid down as SS Delsantos on 9 December 1941 at the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Company in Kearney, New Jersey. Launched on 4 April 1942 and delivered by 11 July 1942, she was initially constructed for the Mississippi Shipping Company under a Maritime Commission contract. Acquired by the Navy from the War Shipping Administration, she was briefly renamed Dauphin before being renamed Thurston on 18 September 1942 to avoid confusion with a Canadian ship. Thurston was converted into an auxiliary transport at Atlantic Basin Iron Works in Brooklyn, New York, and commissioned on 19 September 1942. Her dimensions and specific tonnage are not detailed in the provided content, but she was equipped to carry troops and cargo. She participated in several major operations across both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Her service began with the invasion of North Africa in November 1942, where she transported the 15th Infantry Regiment to French Morocco. She then supported the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, landing troops at Gela, and participated in the invasion of southern France in August 1944, delivering assault troops at Baie de Pampelonne. Thurston also took part in the Normandy invasion, landing troops of the 116th Infantry Regiment on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. She sustained minor damage from a German bomb near Portland, England, prior to the D-Day landings. Later, she operated in the Mediterranean, participating in the invasion of southern France (Operation Dragoon) in August 1944, and in the Pacific theater, she supported landings at Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and other locations. Throughout her service, Thurston was involved in resupply and troop transport missions, including returning servicemen from the Pacific during Operation Magic Carpet. Her notable engagement with enemy forces occurred on the route to Guadalcanal, where she sank a Japanese armed dory after a surprise attack. Decommissioned on 1 August 1946, she was returned to the War Shipping Administration and resumed her merchant service under the name Del Santos, later Chickasaw. She was ultimately grounded off Santa Rosa Island in 1962. Thurston earned seven battle stars for her distinguished wartime service, marking her as a significant vessel in U.S. naval operations during World War II.

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