Namesake Propus Acquired 10 April 1944 Construction started 31 January 1944 | Laid down 31 January 1944 Commissioned 22 June 1944 Launched 29 March 1944 | |
Name Frederick Tresca
Propus Ordered as a type (EC2-S-C1) hull, MCE hull 2471, SS Frederick Tresca | ||
USS Propus (AK-132) was a Crater-class cargo ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She was responsible for delivering troops, goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.
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Built in Jacksonville, Florida
Propus (AK–132) was laid down 31 January 1944 by the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company, Jacksonville, Florida, as MCE hull 2471; launched 29 March 1944; chartered by the Navy 10 April 1944; converted by Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock Co., Jacksonville, Florida; and commissioned 22 June 1944, Lt. Comdr. Harvey A. Seeley in command.
World War II Pacific Theatre operations
Following shakedown in Chesapeake Bay, Propus (AK–132) proceeded via the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean. In 1944 she operated at San Francisco, California, in September; Pearl Harbor and San Francisco in October; and San Pedro, California, in December. In 1945 her cargo duties took her to Noumea and Espiritu Santo in January; Pearl Harbor, San Francisco and back to sea in February and March; Eniwetok, Saipan, and Tinian in April; San Francisco in May; Manus in June; Emirau and Manus in July; Pearl Harbor in August; San Francisco in September; and Norfolk, Virginia, in October.
Post-war decommissioning
Decommissioned 20 November 1945, she was redelivered to the War Shipping Administration 21 November and struck from the Naval Vessel Register 5 December. She was sold for commercial service by the Maritime Commission in 1947, to a Greek shipping company and renamed SS Nicolaou Georgios. She was burnt in 1951, repaired, and renamed MV Gabbiano (Motorized). Final Disposition: scrapped in 1970.
Military awards and honors
No battle stars are indicated for Propus in current Navy accounts. However, her crew was eligible for the following medals: