USS Bexar APA-237

A Haskell-class attack transport 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 Wars.

Bexar was named after Bexar County, Texas. She was launched July 25, 1945 and commisioned on October 9, 1945, with Captain R. H. Wilcox in command.

After her shakedown training, she was assigned duty in the Operation Magic Carpet, bringing WWII troops home from the Pacific Theater of Operations. She then participated in Operation Crossroads, a large-scale operation designed to test the effectiveness of atomic bombs on warships.

During peacetime before the Korean War, she was based with the Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet, in Norfolk, Virginia, participating in amphibious exercises and Naval Reserve cruises along the East Coast. On 31 July 1950 Bexar departed Norfolk for the Mediterranean. While in the Mediterranean, she was ordered to embark Marines and proceed via the Suez Canal to Japan.

Upon arrival to Japan, she proceeded to Korea where she participated in the Inchon and Wonsan landings. She had 3 tours of duty in the Korean theater, and received three Battle Stars for Korean War Service. During her last tour, she served as flagship for Operation Big Switch, the movement of prisoners from Koje Do to Inchon, Korea.

From 1966 through 1969, Bexar saw extensive duty during the Vietnam War, earning five campaign stars.

After her service in Vietnam, Bexar along with the other surviving attack transports from World War II were redesignated amphibious transports, Bexar receiving the designation LPA-237.

Bexar was decommissioned on 7 August 1970, struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 September 1976, and sold for scrap June 16, 1982.