USS Hercules ( AK - 41 ) USS Hercules ( AK - 41 ) was an " Hercules " - class transport commissioned by the U . S . Navy for service in World War II . She was responsible for delivering necessary goods and equipment to ships and stations in the war zone . " Hercules " ( AK - 41 ) , ex - " SS Exporter " , was launched 18 July 1939 by the Fore River Ship Building Co . , Quincy , Massachusetts , for American Export Lines Inc . Acquired by the Navy 15 July 1941 , she continued to be operated by civilian crews until 30 November 1942 , when she commissioned at San Francisco , California , Comdr . W . H . Turnquist , USNR , in command . World War II Pacific Theatre operations . Departing San Francisco 18 December , " Hercules " reached Noumea , New Caledonia , 6 January 1943 to discharge her cargo . She returned to San Francisco 20 February and repeated the voyage from 11 March to 5 July . " Hercules " sailed for Pearl Harbor 6 August and reached Hawaii 6 days later . As flagship for Admiral Willis A . Lee , CTF 11 , she sailed for action 25 August and on 1 September was off Baker Island as the Army began occupation . Remaining off Baker Island until 16 September discharging cargo , " Hercules " returned to Pearl Harbor and from there sailed for San Francisco . Supporting Allied invasion forces . Taking on passengers and cargo , she sailed again for the Pacific war areas 13 October , reaching Funafuti , Ellice Islands , 14 November after discharging cargo at Pearl Harbor . After miscellaneous cargo trips in the southern Pacific , " Hercules " returned to Pearl 28 January 1944 for repairs . Two round - trips with cargo and passengers to San Francisco brought her into the summer and on 30 May she sailed with the initial invasion force for Saipan . " Hercules " reached Saipan 15 June , D - Day , and remained there discharging cargo until 24 June . Although Japanese planes filled the air and attacked her several times , " Hercules " emerged unscathed as American forces continued to sweep across the island to Japan . Departing Saipan 24 June , she returned to Pearl Harbor and from there sailed to Guadalcanal . Supporting the Philippine invasion forces . " Hercules " sailed from Guadalcanal 8 September to participate in the invasion of Peleliu , Palau Islands , 15 September . After this hard fought operation she continued on to Hollandia , New Guinea , discharged her cargo , and 13 October sailed for the Philippines . " Hercules " remained in the Philippines , with several trips back for supplies , for both the initial invasion of San Pedro Bay 20 October and the landings on Lingayen Gulf 9 January 1945 , as American forces returned victorious to the Philippines . Supporting Iwo Jima operations . Reaching Ulithi 24 January 1945 , " Hercules " embarked troops with cargo and 17 February sailed for Iwo Jima . The invasion of that rugged island began 2 days later , and " Hercules " steamed in the retirement area until 27 February when she disembarked reserve troops on the beach and received wounded . After discharging her cargo , she remained in the Iwo Jima area until 20 March when , loaded with U . S . Marines and their equipment , she sailed for Pearl Harbor . Reaching Pearl 4 April , " Hercules " carried cargo to Guam and Eniwetok before reaching San Francisco 22 June for a much - needed overhaul . End - of - war operations . The war in the Pacific ended while " Hercules " was still undergoing repairs , but she sailed west again 24 October 1945 . Loading ammunition in the Philippines and the Admiralty Islands , she transited the Panama Canal 16 March 1946 and docked at Norfolk , Virginia , 26 March . After a brief trip up the coast to New York and New Jersey , " Hercules " sailed to Norfolk 18 May and hauled down her commissioning pennant 28 June 1946 . " Hercules " was transferred to the Maritime Commission 18 July . Returning to merchant service , she was renamed " SS Exermont " , and later " SS Bostonian " . Military awards and honors . " Hercules " received five battle stars for World War II service : " Hercules ’ " crew members were eligible for the following medals :