USS Leedstown ( APA - 56 ) USS " Leedstown " ( APA - 56 ) was a " Windsor " - class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II . " Leedstown " ( APA - 56 ) was laid down as " Exchequer " by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation of Baltimore , Maryland on 26 August 1942 ; classified AP - 101 and renamed " Wood " 5 October 1942 ; reclassified APA - 56 1 February 1943 ; launched 13 February ; renamed " Leedstown " 17 March 1943 ; and commissioned 16 July 1943 , Comdr . Harold Bye in command . Operational history . World War II . " Leedstown " arrived at Norfolk , Virginia 16 July 1943 for amphibious training in Chesapeake Bay with units of the U . S . Army . She departed Norfolk , 11 December for the Pacific , arriving Honolulu New Year ’ s Eve 1943 . Invasion of the Marshall Islands . The ship sailed from Honolulu 22 January bringing troops to Kwajalein 31 January for the invasion of the Marshall Islands , a major step in the Navy ’ s mighty island hopping campaign which relentlessly pushed Japan back to her home islands and defeat . After the Marshalls were secured , she departed Kwajalein 5 February and spent the next 3 months transporting supplies and reinforcements to the Solomon and Marshall Islands . Invasion of Guam . From 10 to 28 May , the ship was at Tulagi , training for the amphibious assault on Guam . Sailing 12 June , she debarked her troops in the resistless assault on Guam , 21 July . " Leedstown " cared for 270 battle casualties , and departed 5 August for Guadalcanal , returning many of the wounded for hospitalization . Invasion of Pelelius . The busy APA rehearsed for the next operation and departed Guadalcanal 8 September for the invasion of Peleliu 15 to 20 September . During this operation , she repaired numerous landing craft and cared for a total of 326 casualties . Invasion of Leyte . On 13 October , she sailed from Honolulu as a unit of TF 78 , Central Philippine Attack Force , for the attack on Leyte Island , 20 October . On 14 November , she brought reinforcements to this crucial battle zone and then departed for New Guinea 29 November . Correct " she sailed from Honolulu as a unit of TF 78 " To read : " she sailed from Hulmboldt Bay , New Guinea as a unit of TF 78 " Data source : Deck Log , U . S . S LEEDSTOWN ( APA - 56 ) Friday 13 October 1944 Ray D . Kester served aboard Leedstown JULY 1943 - JULY 1945 U . S . S . LEEDSTOWN ( APA - 56 ) reunion secretary 6128 SHERBORN LN SPRINGFIELD VA 221520 - 1630 TEL / FAX : 703 - 451 - 2520 Invasions of Luzon and Iwo Jima . She then participated in the landings at Lingayen Gulf , Luzon , 9 January , and Iwo Jima 22 February 1945 . " Leedstown " spent the remainder of the war engaged in training operations and transportation duties in the Pacific . After hostilities . After the conclusion of hostilities , she participated in two Operation Magic Carpet missions bringing demobilizing troops home from the war . The first mission traveled from Long Beach to the Philippines , taking a load of soldiers from the Philippines to Japan , then picked up a load of Seabees in Okinawa Japan for transport home to Seattle . The second mission began in Seattle , traveled to Yokahama Japan , picked up a load of soldiers , then returned to Long Beach . Following the second Magic Carpet mission , the USS Leedstown traveled via the Panama Canal to Norfolk VA where the ship was decommissioned , and later became a cargo ship . Decommission and awards . She last entered Seattle in March 1946 , decommissioned 7 March and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal 1 July 1946 . " Leedstown " was awarded six battle star s for World War II service . The Leedstown ( apa56 ) was the most decorated Winsor Class ship of World War II . It earned its position at the head of the fleet for its last three of its six invasions . Commercial service . " Leedstown " was sold to the Shepard Steam Ship Company in 1947 and renamed " Minute Man " . Later , she was sold to American Export - Isbrandtsen Lines and renamed " Exilona " . In February , 1964 the " Exilona " , captained by Edward L . Jungerheld , delivered the first 6 , 642 - ton installment on the million - ton sale of US grain to the Soviet Union , the first since the conclusion of the Second World War . The ship was scrapped in April 1970 . References . " New York Times , " 30 Jan 1964