Lenawee (APA 195) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHARACTERISTICS 1. Length — 155 feet 2. Width — 63 feet 3. Armament — 5 mounts of 10mm 19 Landing; Craft Vehicle. Personnel 2 Landing Craft Mechanized 1 Captain ' s Gig (LCPL) 1 Light Salvage Boat (LCPR) 1 Landing Control Boat (LCPL) 4. Maximum Speed — 18 knots 5. Horse Power — 8,500 6. Displacement — 9,000 tons 7. Troop Carrying Capacity 100 Officers 1400 Enlisted 8. Crew — 30 Officers. 340 Enlisted 9. Cargo Capacity — 105.000 cu. ft. MISSION AND ORGANIZATION THE LENAWEE ' S MISSION IS TO LOAD. TRANSPORT AND LAND TROOPS AND CARGO WHENEVER AND WHEREVER AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT OPERATIONS ARE REQUIRED ADMINISTRATIVELY under the Captain and the Executive Officer The Ship is divided into seven departments: ADMINISTRATION AND MASTER AT ARMS. OPERATIONS.DECK. ENGINEERING, NAVIGATION, SUPPLY, AND MEDICAL. Tmi , » •

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HISTORY OF THE LENAWEE The LENAWEE, named after Lenawee County, Michigan, was buih by Kaiser Company, Vancouver, Washington, and launched on September 11, 1944. She received her official commissioning on October 11, 1944, at Astoria, Oregon. During World War II she was in a Transport Squadron operating in the Pacific, taking part in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa invasions. She carried troops of the First Cavalry Division to Yokohama and was present in Tokyo Bay at the time of the Japanese surrender. The LENAWEE went into mothballs after the War and remained so until 1950 and the outbreak of the Korean conflict. While operating in the Korean area she aided in the major evacuation of North Korean partisans to islands below the 38th parallel. During the signing of the final Korean truce on 28 July 1953, the LENAWEE was the station ship in Inchon Harbor, Korea. In February of 1955 she took part in the evacuation of Chinese Nationalist refugees from the Tachen Island off the China coast. On her first trip to Keelung, Formosa, she carried approximately 3800 civilians and returned to the islands for another load consisting of 1200 troops. Since then, the LENAWEE has completed five tours of duty in the Western Pacific and has taken part in numerous Amphibious exercises. On this tour she participated in tliree major operations.

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CAPTAIN BAGBY was graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1938. In 1941, after a period of duty in combatant surface ships, he entered the Submarine Sei-vice. During World War II he sei-ved continuously in submarines, having command of the USS BANG (SS-385) as the War ended. Subsequently he commanded the San Diego based submarine CHARR (SS-328) and later Sub- marine Division 22 at New London. Connecticut. He also served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, on the staff of COMSUBLANT, on die staff of the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey and attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. His last duty was as Chief of Staff, Navy Section, Joint U. S. Military Mission for Aid to Turkey. He has been awarded two Silver Star medals, two Bronze Star medals, and two Navy Commendation Ribbons. CAPTAIN BAGBY assumed command of the LENAWEE on 20 Januaiy 1961. He was relieved by Captain Thienes and departed for command duty aboard USS HELENA (CA-75) on 5 April 1962. COMMANDER WESSINGER attended Newberry College, South Carolina. Entering the Naval Sei-vice in September of 1935 his first seven years were served in an enlisted status. Ships included USS TRENTON, USS UTAH, and USS MEDUSA. He was at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack on Decem- ber 7, 1941. Commissioned as ensign in June of 1942 he served aboard USS LST 390 as 1st Lieutenant, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. He participated in the invasions of Russels, Rhendova, Wood Lark, Sas- sevello, Velle le Velle, Bougainville. Treasury Island, and the Saipan Islands. COMMANDER WESSINGER served as Command- ing Officer of the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps Re- serve Training Center, Durham, North Carolina, from 19.S6 to 1958. He served as Administration Officer and Chief of Staff at Texas Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet prior to his present tour of duty. His awards in- clude Commendation Ribbon, Good Conduct, Presi- dential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Award. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Navy Occu- pation Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. COMMANDER WESSINGER became the LENA- WEE Executive Officer on 25 August 1961.