 As USS American Legion c. 1944–45
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | American Legion |
| Namesake | The American Legion, a patriotic organization |
| Builder | New York Shipbuilding |
| Cost | $7,309,189.37[1] |
| Yard number | 242[2] |
| Launched | 11 October 1919[3] |
| Sponsored by | Mrs. Joseph S. Frelinghuysen |
| Christened | American Legion |
| Acquired | (by the Navy) 22 August 1941 |
| Commissioned | (Navy) 26 August 1941 |
| Decommissioned | (Navy) 20 March 1946 |
| Maiden voyage | 23 July 1921 |
| Reclassified | AP-35 to APA-17, 1 February 1943 |
| Stricken | (Navy) 20 March 1946 |
| Identification | United States official number: 221478 |
| Honors and awards | Two battle stars for World War II service |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, 5 February 1948 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | |
| Displacement | 13,529 tons (lt), 21,900 t.(fl) |
| Length | 535 ft 2 in (163.12 m) |
| Beam | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Draft | 31 ft 3 in (9.53 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
| Capacity |
|
| Complement | Officers 43, Enlisted 639 |
| Armament |
|
American Legion was a United States Navy ship first launched on 11 October 1919 and decommissioned on 20 March 1946. She was built for the United States Shipping Board (USSB), one of the planned World War I troop transports converted before construction into passenger and cargo vessels, the Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1029 ships. The ship was laid down as Koda and perhaps assigned the name Badger State at one point, but renamed American Legion before launch and one of only a few of the design not taking a state nickname. Originally operated by the USSB's agents and the Munson Steamship Line the ship saw commercial service until laid up 13 March 1939.
American Legion was formally transferred to the War Department for use as a United States Army transport on 19 December 1939 operating as USAT American Legion until transfer to the United States Navy 22 August 1941. The Navy commissioned the ship USS American Legion initially classifying the ship a transport with hull number AP-35. On 1 February 1943 the Navy reclassified the ship as an attack transport (Harris class) with hull number APA-17. American Legion decommissioned on 28 March 1946 and was sold for scrap 5 February 1948.