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WWII: ALLIED INVASION OF NORTH AFRICA

Last updated June 2009

All four of the original 4 Aces served their country in World War II. Three of the ships saw action in Operation "Torch": the Allied Invasion of North Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. Those ships were the USS John Penn (SS Excambion), the USS Joseph Hewes (SS Excalibur), and the USS Edward Rutledge (SS Exeter).

Operation Torch, Allied Invasion of North Africa, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia
Operation Torch, Allied Invasion of North Africa, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

After being loaded with troops and materials in Norfolk, Virginia, the three ships joined the Western Task Foce, Sub-Task Force "Brushwood", and steamed to Fedhala, Morocco arriving on November 8, 1942. The USS Joseph Hewes and the USS Edward Rutledge were sunk in torpedo attacks by German U boats. The USS John Penn survived the mission and was reassigned to the Pacific.

Operation Torch, Allied Invasion of North Africa, Morocco, Casablanca and Fedala
Wesrern Task Force, Fedhala, Morocco

USS Edward Rutledge

On January 7, 1942 the SS Exeter was transferred to the US Navy from the Maritime Commission, renamed the USS Edward Rutledge, and converted into a Naval Transport with Captain M. W. Hutchinson, Jr. in command. She was converted at Tampa Shipbuilding Co., in Tampa, FL. During World War II USS Edward Rutledge was assigned to the European-African-Middle East Theater and participated in the Allied invasion of North Africa. She was sunk by enemy action during that invasion.

USS Joseph Hewes

On January 8, 1942 the SS Excalibur was transferred to the US Navy, renamed the USS Joseph Hewes, and converted into an attack transport ship with CAPT. Robert Smith in command. During World War II USS Joseph Hewes was assigned to the European-African-Middle East Theater and participated in the Allied invasion of North Africa. She was sunk by enemy action during that invasion.

USS John Penn

On January 8, 1942, the SS Excambion was transferred to the US Navy, and renamed the USS John Penn. The John Penn was commissioned 6 April 1942 with Captain Harry W. Need in command. After fitting out and training, the John Penn began preparations for what was to be one of the largest overseas expeditions ever undertaken: the North African Invasion. Later, on February 1, 1943 it was reclassified Attack Transport (APA-23). During WWII the USS John Penn was first assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the Allied invasion of North Africa. The USS John Penn was later reassigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and was sunk by enemy action at Guadalcanal.

From 4 to 16 October 1942, John Penn loaded Army equipment, cargo and troops at Norfolk Virginia and topped off with fuel. She sortied from Hampton Roads on 23 October 1942 with Admiral Hewitt's Western Naval task Force. As a unit of Rear Admiral Monroe Kelly's Northern Attack Group, she arrived 8 November 1942 in the transport area off Mehdia, Western Morocco where she began landing troops and putting cargo ashore. Although hampered by heavy surf and fire from enemy shore batteries, she unloaded with efficiency and dispatch. At 1053 an enemy aircraft attacked the John Penn (a Vichy French P-36) but her aft-batteries splashed the intruder. On 15 November 1942 she departed for Casablanca, arriving that same day and unloaded the remainder of her cargo. She survived the invasion and sailed for Norfolk on 17 November 1942, arriving Norfolk on 30 November 1942.

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