USS Highlands ( APA - 119 ) USS " Highlands " ( APA - 119 ) was a " Haskell " - class attack transport built and used by the US Navy in World War II . She was a Victory ship design , VC2 - S - AP5 . She was named after Highlands County , Florida , USA . World War II service . " Highlands " was launched 8 July 1944 under Maritime Commission contract by California Shipbuilding Company , Wilmington , California ; sponsored by Mrs . G . W . D . Dashiell ; acquired by the Navy and commissioned 5 October 1944 , Captain G . D . Lyon commanding . The new transport conducted shakedown training out of San Pedro until 30 October . Following a rigorous period of drills , which would serve her well in the months to come , " Highlands " sailed to San Francisco to embark her troops , and got underway 23 November for Hawaii . Arriving Pearl Harbor 29 November , the ship again turned to amphibious training , in preparation for the epochal Iwo Jima landings , one of the most important steps in the Navy ' s island campaign that drove relentlessly toward Japan . " Highlands " sailed with her task group 27 January 1945 via Eniwetok for Saipan , where she arrived 11 February . Five days later she sailed for Iwo Jima and commenced unloading on the beaches the morning of 19 February . For the next 6 days the transport unloaded troops and supplies during the day and retired under escort cover each night . Japanese air attacks were heavy during this period , claiming escort carrier in a kamikaze attack 21 February and damaging several other ships , including . In addition to her regular duties , " Highlands " received over 150 survivors of " Bismarck Sea " 22 February , as well as casualties from the hard - pressed Marine units ashore . " Highlands " departed Iwo Jima 25 February and after debarking casualties at Saipan proceeded to Espiritu Santo , arriving 15 March 1945 . There she took on fresh troops for the next major assault of the Pacific War , the invasion of Okinawa , called by Winston Churchill " . . . among the most intense and famous of military history . " " Highlands " did not take part in the initial landings , arriving in the Ryukyus 3 April . The transport remained at Kerama Retto until 11 April , when she took part in the early morning assault on Tsugen Jima , a small but key island controlling the approaches to the large bay on Okinawa ' s east side . As Marines gaired control of the island , " Highlands " took casualties on board , and moved directly off Hagushi beaches 12 April to disembark reserve troops . . During the 3 days that followed antiaircraft fire and smoke screen s helped protect the transport from almost continuous air attack , and after completing her mission " Highlands " sailed for Saipan 16 April . Arriving Saipan 20 April " Highlands " unloaded casualties and proceeded the next day to Ulithi . She departed 22 May for Guam and then Leyte , arriving in Leyte Gulf 31 May . The transport now busily prepared for the expected amphibious landings on the Japanese mainland , operations which were terminated by the Japanese surrender 15 August 1945 . " Highlands " had been operating off Panay Island when the surrender came ; she sailed 21 August to load occupation troops on Luzon . " Highlands " and other transports of her group entered Tokyo Bay the day of the formal ceremony , 2 September , and landed units of the 1st Cavalry Division on Japanese soil . " Highlands " returned to the Philippine Islands and Okinawa for more occupation troops in September and after the clearing of mines from Japan ' s inland sea landed troops at Kure 6 October . The veteran ship sailed 11 October for Okinawa and San Diego carrying returnees , arriving in the United States 2 November . She made an additional voyage to Japanese ports 17 November - 26 December , returning to San Francisco , and departed 11 January 1946 for the Panama Canal and Norfolk . " Highlands " arrived Hampton Roads 26 January , decommissioned 14 February and was placed in the Maritime Commission ' s National Defense Reserve Fleet , James River , Virginia . Fate . Between 21 September and 23 November 1956 she was withdrawn from the Reserve Fleet for a Repair Program , GAA - Farrell Lines , and returned . Ex - " Highlands " was sold for US $ 111 , 560 to Union Minerals & Alloys Corporation for scrapping on 9 April 1973 . At 0935 EDT , on 11 June 1973 she was withdrawn from the Reserve Fleet and sent to the breaker ' s yard . All that remains of " Highlands " is her brass builder ' s plate . Awards . " Highlands " received two battle stars for World War II service .