USS Clinton (APA-144)

USS Clinton (APA-144/LPA-144) was an Haskell-class attack transport acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II for the task of transporting troops to and from combat areas.

The second ship to be named Clinton by the Navy, APA-144 was launched 29 November 1944 by California Shipbuilding Co., Wilmington, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. L. N. Green; transferred to the Navy 1 February 1945; converted at U.S. Naval Station, Astoria, Oregon; and commissioned 1 February 1945, Commander J. A. Ivaldi, USNR, in command.

World War II service
Clinton cleared San Francisco, California, 17 April 1945 and sailed to land Marine replacement troops and equipment on Okinawa between 27 and 31 May. She transferred battle casualties to Guam where she embarked ground forces of the 7th Bomber Command for transportation to Okinawa, arriving 2 July. When she sailed 6 days later she was carrying over 1,000 Okinawan and Korean prisoners of war for internment in the Hawaiian Islands. Clinton cleared Honolulu 5 August carrying replacement troops to Saipan.

End-of-war operations
She sailed on to Manila to embark Army occupation troops whom she landed at Tsingtao, China, 11 October 1945. Arriving at Haiphong, French Indo-China, 26 October, she loaded Chinese troops and equipment and carried them to Chinwangtao and Taku for the reoccupation of northern China. Based on an anecdotal description of one of its crew members, the ship may have also been assigned to transport troops to Yokohama to assist in the post-war occupation there. Assigned to "Operation Magic Carpet" duty, Clinton embarked homeward-bound servicemen at Manila and sailed 28 November for San Pedro, California, arriving 18 December. She continued to the U.S. East Coast, arriving at Norfolk, Virginia, 2 February 1946.

Post-war decommissioning
Clinton was decommissioned 2 May 1946 and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal 1 October 1958.

Military awards and honors
Clinton received one battle star for World War II service.