USS Electra (AKA 4)

1942 - 1945

Contemporary account, thanks to Lloyd Grady

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V   From 9 July 1943 to 3 December 1943, U.S.S. Electra was engaged in amphibious training exercises in the Chesapeake Bay area off Cove Point. Various units of the U.S. Army were trained in amphibious landings during this training period. On the afternoon of 3 December U.S.S. Electra entered Portsmouth Navy Yard for 4 day overhaul. Leaving the Navy Yard on the morning of the 8th she proceeded to N.O.B., Norfolk to load stores.   At 1028 on 11 December 1943, U.S.S. Electra was underway, bound for Pearl Harbor, T.H., in company with Task Group 28.18 of which the U.S.S. Custer was flagship. The voyage to the Panama Canal was via the Windward Passage. Arrived at the eastern entrance Panama Canal on 17 December 1943, and transited the Panama Canal the same day, mooring in Balboa, C.Z.   At 1915, 18 December, U.S.S. Electra got underway for Pearl Harbor, proceeding alone without escort. The voyage from Balboa to Pearl Harbor was uneventful with fine weather. She arrived Pearl Harbor at 1012 on 1 January 1944, disembarked passengers and unloaded the few pieces of cargo carried from Norfolk, Va. After disembarkation of passengers and cargo. U.S.S. Electra proceeded to Honolulu Harbor and moored to Sand Island.   On 7 January she left Sand Island and proceeded to Pearl Harbor, mooring alongside LSD-6. At 1737, 8 January, she was underway from Pearl Harbor bound for Kahului, Maui, T.H., arriving there at 0900 on 9 January. Began embarking elements of the 22nd Marine RCT and their combat equipment. Completed loading 22nd Marines on 13 January and at 1300 U.S.S. Electra was underway and rendezvoused with Transport Division 20 at 1500. The U.S.S. Leonard Wood was flagship of Transport Division 20 with Commodore Loomis in command.   In company with Transport Division 20 U.S.S. Electra proceeded to Maalao Bay, Maui, T.H., for debarkation exercises. During the period 16 - 17 January conducted practice landings in Maalao Bay. At 2200 got underway with Transport Division 20 bound for Pearl Harbor, arriving there at 1445 on 17 July mooring alongside U.S.S. Haywood.   U.S.S. Electra remained in Pearl Harbor from 17 July to 23 July replenishing logistics. At 1100 on the 23rd the ship got underway and joined Transport Division 20 which was part of Task Group 51.2 bound for the initial invasion of the Marshall Islands.   On 1 February U.S.S. Electra with task group 51.2 stood off east of Kwajalein Atoll awaiting orders to enter. At 1200 U.S.S. Electra entered Cecil Pass on western side of Kwajalein and proceeded to southern anchorage off Kwajalein Island.   During the period 2 February to 15 February, U.S.S. Electra furnished boats for the occupation of several islands north of Kwajalein Island; refueled several AM's and smaller diesel craft; discharged part of cargo as required by forces ashore; reorganized stowage for further operations and replenished stores.   At 1412, 15 February 1944, U.S.S. Electra got underway and joined Transport Division 20, a part of Task Group 51.11 bound for initial assault on Eniwetok Atoll. The voyage to Eniwetok was uneventful, the task group arriving off Eniwetok on 17 February. The task group entered the narrow entrance on east side of lagoon in single column, Transport Division 20 being last division to enter and the Electra the last ship of Transport Division 20. No enemy firing was experienced until after Electra was well inside lagoon, then a Japanese battery fired on one of our cruisers entering lagoon astern of Electra. The cruiser quickly silenced the fire.   U.S.S. Electra in column astern of Transport Division 20 proceeded thru the swept channel to transport area Able off the small islands to southeast of Engebi Island. Boats from Electra were used to help land artillery on those islands.   At 1621 ship got underway, and proceeded to transport area two; berth 4 off Engebi Island. The morning of 18 February 1944, the assault on Engebi Island began, all boats from Electra shifted berth to inner transport area to shorten boat trips. General cargo unloading began at 1600. The evening of the 19th a working party under Lieutenant Angelsen was sent ashore to help unload boats. This party was under sniper fire during the night.   The afternoon of the 19th, all ships except Electra left for southern end of lagoon for assault on Eniwetok and Parry Islands. LCM's from Electra were despatched with these ships to take part in assault waves on those islands.   During the morning of the 20th U.S.S. Electra received eight Japanese and one Korean prisoners of war from beach, two of them were wounded. In the afternoon 5 more prisoners were brought aboard, one of whom was wounded.   At 1715 Commodore Loomis and staff came aboard and U.S.S. Electra became temporary flag off Engebi Island. The afternoon of the 21st at 1442 Commodore Loomis and staff left the ship for the southern anchorage leaving Commander Beightler of the Electra as SOPA [Senior Officer Present Afloat] off Engebi Island. The Electra with SOPA aboard continued directing unloading operation of LST's and S.S. Cape Stevens until the 23rd of February. Several Electra boats were transferred to Engebi Boat Pool during this period.   At 1106 on 23 February Electra got underway for southern anchorage and anchored off Eniwetok Island at 1400. Until the 25th fuel and provisions were provided to smaller ships. Here also two LCM's were transferred to Eniwetok Boat Pool.   On the morning of the 25th U.S.S. Electra got underway in company with Transport Division 20 bound for Kwajalein Atoll. Arrived off the northern entrance and proceeded to northern anchorage off Roi Island. The cargo brought back from Eniwetok was discharged the 27th and on the 29th U.S.S. Electra was once more underway in company with Transport Division 20 bound for Pearl Harbor, where she arrived without incident on 8 March 1944.

VI   During the period 8 - 15 March 1944 logistics were replenished and routine upkeep carried on. On 15 March the U.S.S. Electra was shifted to berth Baker 21, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for overhaul. The ship remained in the Navy Yard until 25 April undergoing major engine room overhaul. Conducted trials the 26th. Logistics from the 27th to the 30th.   At 1330 on 30 April U.S.S. Electra in company with U.S.S. Almaack, U.S.S. Alcyone, U.S.S. Alhena, got underway and proceeded to Hilo, Hawaii, T.H., arriving there 1 May, Electra mooring to Pier #1. From 1 May to 4 May elements of the 2nd Marine Division were embarked and their combat equipment loaded aboard. The ship left Hilo 1t 1830 on 4 May and proceeded in company with Transport Division 20 to Honolulu Harbor, T.H., mooring at Sand Island, Honolulu Harbor at 1200, 5 May 1944. During the period of 5 - 14 May stores were replenished and drills conducted.   On the 14th U.S.S. Electra left Honolulu Harbor in company with Task Group 52.2 for Lahaina Roads. Debarkation exercises and amphibious exercises were conducted in the Maui Area until 19th of May. On the 20th Task Group 52.2 returned to Pearl Harbor, T. H., where Electra moored alongside U.S.S. Alcyone. From 20 to 30 May logistics were completed and final preparations made for the coming operation.   U.S.S. Electra sailed from Pearl Harbor in company with Transport Group Able at 1400 on the 30th of May 1944. Her position was 5th ship in left column, of which the U.S.S. Bolivar was flag. On 9 June Electra with Transport Group Able entered Eniwetok Lagoon for a logistic period. On the 11th Electra was once more underway with Transport Group Able en route for the assault on Saipan, Marianas Islands.

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