USS Electra (AKA 4)

1942 - 1945

Contemporary account, thanks to Lloyd Grady

Page 3

At 0530 on 15 June 1944, U.S.S. Electra arrived in her assigned berth in the transport area off Saipan Island. All boats from Electra participated in the assault waves and landing of supplies and equipment on Red Beach. One of Electra boat crews was killed by mortar fire during this period. Ship closed beach to shorten boat trips late in the morning. The first two nights Electra retired to westward with Transport Group Able and returned in the morning to resume unloading. Air attacks were frequent during this period. On the third night Electra remained at anchor and late in the evening during an air attack had near miss by four bombs off the stern.   On the 18th U.S.S. Electra retired to northward with Task Group Able to refuel. This same morning burial services were held for a marine who had died of wounds received ashore.   After refueling the Task Group proceeded eastward due to reports of a Japanese Task Force en route to Marianas. At 1700 Electra developed engine trouble and received permission to return to Saipan with one escort. Electra arrived at her anchorage off Saipan in Berth B-48 at 0730 on 20 June 1944.   At mid-night the 20th U.S.S. Electra was under fire from Japanese assault boats attempting to land behind Marine lines. The ship got underway and shifted out of range until morning of 21st when she returned to anchorage. From this time on Electra remained at anchorage until unloaded. Unloading was completed on the 25th of June. During this latter period, frequent air raids were experienced in one of which an LCT was hit close off the port side. Many wounded from the beach were treated on board Electra during her stay off Saipan.   Late afternoon of the 25th U.S.S> Electra got underway with other ships of Task Force and proceeded for Eniwetok Atoll. The voyage to Eniwetok was without incident and U.S.S. Electra arrived there on the 30th of June. The ship remained at Eniwetok over night and at 1800, 1 July 1944, got underway for Kwajalein Atoll in company with U.S.S. Hercules, and U.S.S. Jupiter, the Electra acting as guide and with OTC aboard. Arrived Kwajalein Atoll northern entrance on 3 July. Entered and proceeded down lagoon to southern anchorage off Kwajalein Island. The morning of the 4th she went alongside stone pier on Kwajalein to load empty gas drums. Completed loading drums the afternoon of the 5th and proceeded to sea via Cecil Pass. Outside joined convoy returning Hawaiian area.   On 10 July U.S.S. Electra developed engine trouble and convoy was slowed to Electra's speed of 9 knots. On the 12th the convoy left Electra to proceed independently with one escort. The ship then proceeded at 8 knots to Pearl Harbor arriving there on 13 July 1944 and proceeded to Navy Yard.

VII   U.S.S. Electra remained in the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, from 13 July to 26 July undergoing repairs. During this period, ship was drydocked, the propeller changed to smaller revised type and the bottom painted. On the 27th trial runs were conducted off Oaho, T.H., the ship returning to Pier 25, Honolulu Harbor. The morning of the 28th she commenced embarking elements of the 82nd Army Division and their combat equipment. Completed loading the 82nd Division on 30 July and the ship was underway at 1600, joining Transport Division 20 in Task Group 32.16, enroute to Lahaina Roads. Arrived Lahaina Roads 31 July 1944. Conducted debarkation and amphibious training until 4 August. The afternoon of 4 August, U.S.S. Electra was underway for Honolulu Harbor, in company with Task Group 32.11, arriving there the morning of the 5th. Remained in Honolulu obtaining logistics until 11 August, when Electra was once more underway with Task Group 32.11 bound for Guadalcanal as a staging area for the Palau Operation. U.S.S. Electra was a unit of Transport Division 20 of which the U.S.S. Leonard Wood was flag, Commodore Loomis in command.   The voyage to Guadalcanal Island was uneventful, the task group arriving there on 24 August 1944. From 24 August to 7 September practice amphibious landings were conducted on north shore of Guadalcanal and logistics completed at Tulagi, Florida Island.   At 0800 on 8 September U.S.S. Electra got underway with Transport Division 20 and joined task group 32.4 enroute to the assault on the Palau Islands. The approach to Palau was uneventful the task group arriving off there on 15 September.   The task group, of which U.S.S. Electra was a unit, conducted a feint on northern end of Babelthuap Island while assault was made on southern islands of this group. Early morning of the 17th U.S.S. Electra hove to in her assigned position off Anguar Island in company with other ships of the Anguar Assault Group. All Electra boats engaged in the initial assault on Anguar Island, the LCC from Electra acting as control boat off Red Beach. On the 18th U.S.S. Electra with Transport Division 20 shifted to transport area 4 close in to northern shore of Anguar and proceeded to unload equipment.   On 20 September 1944, Commander Charles S. Beightler, U.S.N., was detached as commanding officer U.S.S. Electra and the executive officer, Lieutenant-Commander Dennis S. Holler, U.S.N.R., became commanding officer in accordance with a Bureau of Personnel despatch.   Several "Red" alerts were experienced during the unloading phase and Electra was forced to shift berth once due to mortar fire from the beach.   At 1620 on 23 September the Electra got underway and joined with Task Unit 32.19.8 with Captain Hansen in command, proceeding to Manus Island. Arrived without incident at Manus Island on 27 September 1944. On October 3rd shifted to berth off Los Negros Island.

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