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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Zeilin (AP-9, later APA-3), 1942-1948

USS Zeilin, a 21,900-ton transport, was built in 1920 at Newport News, Virginia, as the passenger liner Silver State. She was employed in merchant service from 1922 to 1940 under the name President Jackson. Acquired by the Navy in June 1940, she was converted to a transport and commissioned in February 1942. During the next year, Zeilin made a round-trip voyage to the South Pacific, then took part in the Guadalcanal Campaign, during which she was damaged by Japanese air attack on 9 November 1942. Following repairs, and reclassification as an attack transport (APA-3), she participated in operations in Alaskan waters, including the landings at Attu in May 1943 and at Kiska in August. From late 1943 to mid-1944, Zeilin carried troops for the invasions of Tarawa, Kwajalein and the Marianas.

After an overhaul, Zeilin returned to the Pacific war zone, and, in January 1945, transported troops for the invasion of Luzon. While withdrawing from the invasion area on 13 January, she was damaged by a Japanese Kamikaze plane. However, she was able to remain in operation and took part in the Iwo Jima operation during the next month before returning to the U.S. for repairs. The Pacific War ended in August 1945 as Zeilin was again entering the combat area, and she spent the next few months on occupation service and in transporting personnel back to the United States. From November 1945 to January 1946, she operated along the West coast, then steamed through the Panama Canal to the East coast, where she was decommissioned in June 1946. USS Zeilin was then transferred to the Maritime Commission, which retained her until she was sold for scrapping in May 1948.

This page features our only views of USS Zeilin.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 78156

USS Zeilin (APA-3)


In San Francisco Bay, California, circa late 1945.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1973.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 


The following photographs show landing craft from USS Zeilin:

Photo #: 80-G-50827

Attu Invasion, May 1943


Soldiers pull an ammunition cart along the beach at Massacre Bay, Attu, 12 May 1943.
One of the LCVPs in the background is from USS Zeilin (APA-3).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 605 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-50921

Attu Invasion, May 1943


Soldiers unload landing craft on the beach at Massacre Bay, Attu, on 13 May 1943.
LCVPs in the foreground are from USS Zeilin (APA-3) and USS Heywood (APA-6).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 139KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-475421

Kiska Operation, August 1943


Troops march up the beach at Adak, during pre-invasion loading for the Kiska Operation, 13 August 1943.
Photographed by Lt. Horace Bristol, USNR, of the Steichen photographic unit.
LCM behind the soldiers is from USS Zeilin (APA-3). USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) is in the far right distance.
Note the troops' packs and M1 rifles.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 118KB; 670 x 675 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 


In addition to the images presented above, the National Archives appears to hold other views of USS Zeilin. The following list features some of these images:

The images listed below are NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain them using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".



  • Photo #: 80-G-31911
    USS Zeilin (AP-9) in 1942. Starboard broadside surface view, taken while at anchor.

  • Photo #: 80-G-31912
    USS Zeilin (AP-9) in 1942. Starboard bow surface view, taken while at anchor.

  • Photo #: 80-G-31913
    USS Zeilin (AP-9) in 1942. Starboard stern surface view, taken while at anchor.

  • Photo #: 80-G-177789
    USS Zeilin (APA-3) in harbor, circa 1943-44. Port bow surface view.

  • Photo #: 80-G-325421
    USS Zeilin (APA-3) in Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, 9 February 1945.
    Starboard broadside surface view, taken from USS William P. Biddle (APA-8).

  • Photo #: 80-G-379627
    USS Zeilin (APA-3) entering the floating drydock ABSD-6 at Guam, 31 October 1945.
    Starboard bow surface view, taken from the drydock. View is tight on the bow, with tugs pushing on her port bow.


    Reproductions of these images should be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system for pictures not held by the Naval Historical Center.

    The images listed in this box are NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain them using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


  • If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    27 November 1999