USS Bexar ( APA - 237 ) USS " Bexar " ( APA - 237 ) was a that was intended for service with the US Navy in World War II . She was commissioned too late to see action in that conflict but was to see service in both the Korean and Vietnam War s . " Bexar " was named after Bexar County , Texas . She was launched 25 July 1945 by Oregon Shipbuilding of Portland , Oregon , under a Maritime Commission contract , acquired by the Navy 9 October , and commissioned the same day , Captain R . H . Wilcox , in command . Operational history . Upon completion of shakedown training , " Bexar " joined the Operation Magic Carpet fleet . She returned troops from the Pacific until February 1946 . After a brief tour of duty around San Diego during the early part of 1946 , she was ordered to Pearl Harbor to prepare for Operation Cross - roads . Atomic bomb test . In June " Bexar " proceeded to Bikini Atoll to participate in Operation Crossroads , the large - scale operation designed to test the effectiveness of atomic bombs on warships . Over 200 warships participated in the operation , 75 of them as targets . " Bexar " served as an equipment supply center . In August she returned to the West Coast and underwent radioactivity tests . Peacetime missions . In January 1947 she joined the Amphibious Force , Atlantic Fleet , based at Norfolk , Virginia . " Bexar " operated along the Eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean until July 1950 , making a Mediterranean cruise ( January – February 1948 ) with Marines embarked . Between March 1948 and July 1950 she participated in several amphibious exercises and Naval Reserve cruises along the East Coast . In September 1949 she proceeded to the Hawaiian Islands for a large scale amphibious exercise . Returning to Norfolk in December , she resumed her role in the Amphibious Force , Atlantic Fleet . On 31 July 1950 " Bexar " departed Norfolk for the Mediterranean . In August she was ordered to embark Marines and proceed via the Suez Canal to Japan . Korean War . Upon arrival , she proceeded to Korea where she participated in the Inchon ( 15 September ) and Wonsan ( 25 October ) landings and the evacuation of Chinnampo and Inchon . Departing the Far East on 6 January 1951 she proceeded to San Diego , arriving later in the month . Between August 1951 and December 1953 " Bexar " made two more Far Eastern tours in support of Korean operations ( August 1951 - May 1952 and July – December 1953 ) . During the latter she served as flagship for Operation Big Switch , the movement of prisoners from Koje Do to Inchon , Korea . Return to peacetime duties . " Bexar " made another tour of the Far East ( 23 October 1954 - 22 April 1955 ) during which she participated in the Tachen Islands evacuation . Vietnam War . " Bexar " also saw extensive service in the Vietnam War , from 1966 to 1969 . On 1 January 1969 , " Bexar " along with the other surviving attack transports from World War II were redesignated amphibious transports , " Bexar " receiving the designation LPA - 237 . Decommission . " Bexar " was decommissioned on 7 August 1970 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 September 1976 . She was returned to the Maritime Administration on 1 July 1972 , and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay , California . On 16 June 1982 , she was sold for scrapping to C . W . Enterprises & Investment Inc . , and scrapped in either South Korea or Taiwan . Decorations . " Bexar " received three battle star s for Korean War service and five campaign stars for Vietnam War service .