USS John Penn (AP-51/APA-23)

USS John Penn was named after John Penn, a signer of the Declaration of Independence

Last updated June 2009

General Specifications

USS John Penn (AP-51) underway, 13 September 1942, location unknown.

John Penn (AP-51 - APA-23), formerly SS Excambion, was launched in 1931 by the New York Shipbuilding Co., Camden, N.J. for American Export Lines; acquired by the Navy 8 January 1942; and commissioned 6 April 1942, Captain Harry W. Need in command.

After fitting out and training, John Penn began preparations for what was to be one of the largest overseas expeditions ever undertaken, the North African Invasion. From 4 to 16 October 1942, John Penn loaded Army equipment, cargo, and troops, then topped off with fuel. She sortied from Hampton Roads 23 October with Admiral Hewitt's Western Naval Task Force. As a unit of Rear Admiral Monroe Kelly's Northern Attaek Group she arrived 8 November 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 John Penn, but her after batteries quickly splashed the intruder. On 15 November she departed for Casablanca, arrived that same day, and unloaded the remainder of her cargo. She sailed for Norfolk 17 November arriving the 30th.

John Penn departed Norfolk 17 December for deployment to the Paciflc, arriving New Caledonia via the Canal Zone 18 January 1943. She departed New Caledonia 24 January; and touching at Espiritu Santo 3 days later, got underway to pick up survivors from USS Chicago, sunk off Guadalcanal 29 January. In all, she received 1,003 men and 63 officers, including Captain R. C. Davis, the lost cruiser's commanding offlcer. After debarking her grateful passengers at Noumea, New Caledonia, she spent the next 6 months delivering supplies, equipment, and troops to Guadalcanal from the New Hebrides, the Fiji Islands and New Zealand. Reclassified APA-23 on 1 February 1943, she continued to bring supplies and troops into this bitterly contested island.

On 13 August John Penn had just finished unloading a cargo of 155-mm. ammunition off Lunga Point, Guadalcanal. At 2120 she came under attack by enemy torpedo planes. Three minutes later, when the transport took one of the planes under fire, it burst into flames and crashed into her mainmast. About that same instant a torpedo hit from another plane hit the ship. Although vigorous efforts were made to save her, John Penn went down stern first at 2150.

In her naval service, the transport had played a key role in the assault and occupation of French Morocco and contributed greatly to the struggle for Guadalcanal. In war there are always losses, but John Penn's crew, reassigned to other ships, took part in later decisive naval victories.

John Penn received one battle star for World War II service.

John Penn, Patriot

Born: May 17, 1741; Birthplace: Near Port Royal, Virginia; Education: Informal (Lawyer); Work: Law Practice in Virginia, 1762; Accepted to the North Carolina Bar, 1774; Member of Continental Congress, 1775-77, 1779-80; Member of the Board of War, 1780; Died: September 14, 1788

John Penn was born in Caroline County, Virginia, to a family of means. His father died when he was eighteen years old, and though he had received only a rudimentary education at a country school, he had access to the library of his relative Edmund Pendleton. He was licensed to practice law in the state of Virginia at age twenty-two. In 1774 he moved to Granville County, North Carolina, where he established a law practice and soon became a gentleman member of the political community. He was elected to attend the provincial Congress in 1775 and elected to the Continental Congress that same year. He served there until 1777, participating in committee work. He was again elected in 1779, appointed to the Board of War, where he served until 1780. He declined a judgeship in his native state around that time, due to failing health. In retirement he engaged in his law practice. He died at the age of 48.

Sources

• http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/j3/john_penn.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_John_Penn
• http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/APA/APA-23_JohnPenn.html
• http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03023.htm
• http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/auxil/ap51.htm
• http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/signers/penn.htm