USS Hansford (APA-106)

USS Hansford (APA-106) in November 1944
History
Namesake:	A county in Texas
Builder:	Western Pipe & Steel
Laid down:	10 December 1943
Launched:	25 April 1944
Christened:	Sea Adder
Commissioned:	12 October 1944
Decommissioned:	14 June 1946
Renamed:	Gladwin/USS Gladwin, USS Hansford, Steel Apprentice.
Honours and awards:	Two battle stars for service in World War II.
Fate:	Scrapped May 1973
Notes:	WPS Hull No. 128. MC Hull No. 1551. Type C3-S-A2. Sponsor: Mrs. Edward C. Cahill.
General characteristics
Class and type:	Bayfield-class attack transport
Displacement:	8,100 tons, 16,100 tons fully loaded
Length:	492 ft (150 m)
Beam:	69 ft 6 in (21.18 m)
Draught:	26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
Propulsion:	General Electric geared turbine, 2 x Foster Wheeler D-type boilers, single propeller, designed shaft horsepower 8,500
Speed:	18 knots
Boats & landing craft carried:	12 x LCVP, 4 x LCM (Mk-6), 3 x LCP(L) (MK-IV)
Capacity:	4,800 tons (180,500 cu. ft).
Complement:	Crew: 51 officers, 524 enlisted Flag: 43 officers, 108 enlisted. Troops: 80 officers, 1,146 enlisted
Armament:	2 × single 5 inch/38 cal. dual purpose gun mounts, one fore and one aft. 2 × twin 40mm AA gun mounts forward, port and starboard. 2 × single 40 mm AA gun mounts. 18 × single 20mm AA gun mounts.

USS Hansford (APA-106) was a Bayfield-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

Originally christened Sea Adder, the vessel was launched 25 April 1944 as Gladwin by Western Pipe & Steel of San Francisco, under Maritime Commission contract. She was transferred to the Navy and renamed Hansford (after Hansford County, Texas) on 25 August, and commissioned on 12 October 1944, Comdr. William A. Lynch in command.

After shakedown off San Pedro, California, Hansford got underway for Pearl Harbor 25 November 1944 and unloaded passengers and cargo there on 2 December. In the Hawaiian Islands she undertook an intensive training program emphasizing landing exercises during daylight and maneuvering in formation at night. On 28 December she embarked the 1st Battalion Landing Team, 27th Regiment, 5th Division, U.S. Marines who joined her crew in amphibious training as they made ready for combat.

On 27 January 1945, Hansford sailed for Saipan, the staging area for the invasion of Iwo Jima, next step in America's seaborne thrust across the Pacific. After final rehearsal at Saipan, she sortied 16 February 1945 with Task Force 51. The initial assault waves which stormed the beaches of Iwo Jima 19 February included units from Hansford. She continued to land troops and equipment through 25 February. Although she often closed to within 1,000 yards of land, Hansford managed to escape the enemy shells which landed nearby. However, four of her boats, two LCVP's and two LCM's were lost during the operation, and her beach party, which was ashore from 19 February through 22 February, suffered 17 casualties including one officer and three enlisted men killed and one bluejacket missing. Three members of the boat group were wounded.