USS John Penn (APA-23)
USS John Penn under way, 13 September 1942
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| History | |
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 United States
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| Name: |
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| Namesake: | John Penn, signatory to the American Declaration of Independence |
| Builder: | New York Shipbuilding |
| Laid down: | 25 October 1930 |
| Launched: | 28 May 1931 |
| Acquired: | 8 January 1942 |
| Commissioned: | 6 April 1942 |
| Reclassified: | AP-51 to APA-23, 1 February 1943 |
| Honours and awards: |
One battle star for World War II service |
| Fate: | Sunk by enemy action, 13 August 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | none |
| Displacement: | 9,360 tons (lt) |
| Length: | 475 ft 4 in (144.88 m) |
| Beam: | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Draft: | 26 ft (7.9 m) |
| Propulsion: | Steam turbine |
| Armament: |
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USS John Penn (APA-23) was an attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II. Named after John Penn, a signatory to the American Declaration of Independence, she was the only ship in her class.
The ship was initially launched as Excambion in 1931 by the New York Shipbuilding Company of Camden, New Jersey as one of American Export Lines's original "Four Aces." She was 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, Operation Torch, 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 Attack 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, Virginia 17 November arriving 30 November.
Two of her fellow Aces, USS Joseph Hewes (AP-50) (formerly Excalibur) and USS Edward Rutledge (AP-52) (formerly Exeter) were sunk by U-boats during Operation Torch.
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