USS Telfair

USS Telfair (APA/LPA-210) was a Haskell-class attack transport that saw service with the US Navy in World War II and the Korean War. She remained in service through most of the 1950s and 1960s, where she participated in various peacetime operations. Telfair was named for Telfair County, Georgia, which was itself named after Edward Telfair, the second governor of the state, a member of the Continental Congress, and a signer of the Articles of Confederation.

Telfair was laid down 30 May 1944, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MCV hull 558, by Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard No. 2, Richmond, California; launched 30 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. J. L. Cauthorn; and commissioned at San Francisco 31 October 1944.

Following fitting out at Oakland, California, and shakedown and amphibious training off San Pedro, California, the attack transport returned via San Diego to San Francisco to load troops and cargo for her first westward voyage.

On the second day of 1945, she sailed westward and reached Pearl Harbor on 8 January. Nine days later, Telfair resumed her voyage carrying elements of the 111th Infantry to the Palaus for garrison duty. She disembarked troops at Peleliu between 30 January, and 6 February, and then continued on to the Philippines, arriving at Leyte on 9 February, to prepare for the invasion of the Ryūkyūs.

In mid-March, the attack transport embarked elements of the Army's 77th Division and sortied from San Pedro Bay with Task Group (TG) 51.1.

The "Western Islands Attack Group", as TG 51.1 was called, was responsible for conducting the prelude to the Okinawa invasion by securing the anchorage at Kerama Retto, a small cluster of islands just to the south and west of Okinawa. Accordingly, it was the first element engaged in combat in the vicinity of Okinawa during the actual invasion operation. Between 25 March and 2 April, Telfair participated in the assault and occupation of those key islets.

On 30 March, she reembarked her troops, and, on the afternoon of 2 April, she cleared the roadstead for a waiting area to the south. That evening, just after 18:30, her task group was jumped by 10 or more kamikazes. Telfair and her sister-ship Goodhue "...were attacked by three planes in rapid succession." Her gunners and those of Goodhue combined to explode one in mid-air. A second, after ricocheting between her starboard and port kingposts, smacked into Telfair's bulwark, then careened over the side. The third, his glide deflected by gunfire, crashed into Goodhue's cargo boom, smashed her after 20-millimeter gun tubs, and joined his compatriot in the sea.

Telfair remained in the vicinity of Okinawa supporting the invasion until 26 April, when she got underway for Ulithi Atoll in the Western Carolines. She entered the lagoon on 30 April, replenished, and repaired battle damage until 22 May. On that day, the attack transport headed east to return to the United States. She reached Seattle, Washington, on 13 June, disembarked passengers, and underwent further repairs.