USS Gilliam (APA-57)

USS Gilliam (APA-57) was a Gilliam-class attack transport that served the United States Navy during the final year of World War II. Named for Gilliam County, Oregon, the vessel participated in the Battle of Okinawa and later served as a primary target ship during the Operation Crossroads nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll. Its career, though brief, was pivotal in both combat operations and the early Atomic Age.

Construction and commissioning

The ship was laid down on 29 November 1944 under a Maritime Commission contract at the Consolidated Steel Corporation shipyard in Wilmington, California. It was launched on 28 March 1945, sponsored by Mrs. A. O. Williams, and was commissioned into U.S. Navy service on 1 August 1945. As a member of the Gilliam class, it was designed specifically for amphibious assault missions, capable of transporting and landing substantial numbers of troops and their equipment.

Service history

Following its shakedown training off the coast of California, USS *Gilliam* was assigned to transport duties in the Pacific Theater of Operations. It departed San Francisco in late 1945, carrying replacement troops and cargo to forward areas in the Western Pacific. The ship's most significant operational deployment was its participation in the Battle of Okinawa, though it arrived during the later stages of the campaign. It performed critical transport and logistics functions, supporting the massive Allied buildup in the region in preparation for the anticipated invasion of Japan.

Operation Crossroads

With the end of World War II, USS *Gilliam* was selected to be a target vessel for Operation Crossroads, the first postwar series of atomic bomb tests. The ship was placed in the heart of the target fleet anchored in the Bikini lagoon. On 1 July 1946, during the "Able" test, a Fat Man-type bomb was detonated in the air. USS *Gilliam*, positioned approximately 50 yards from ground zero, suffered catastrophic damage from the blast and sank within seconds, becoming the first vessel to sink as a result of the tests. Its rapid destruction provided crucial data on the effects of nuclear blasts on naval vessels.

Awards and legacy

For its wartime service, USS *Gilliam* was awarded one battle star for its participation in the Battle of Okinawa. The ship's legacy is intrinsically tied to the dawn of the Atomic Age and the study of nuclear warfare. Its role in Operation Crossroads made it a subject of extensive analysis in official test reports, contributing to the U.S. military's understanding of atomic weapons effects. The wreck of USS *Gilliam* remains on the seabed at Bikini Atoll, a historic relic of the early Cold War and a site for maritime archaeological study.

Category:World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States Category:Ships sunk by nuclear weapons Category:1945 ships