USS Adair (APA-91) was a Windsor-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II and was named after counties in Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri. The name Adair was assigned to a different ship initially, but construction on that vessel was canceled 12 March 1943.
USS Adair in Camo paint, 1944
The ship that would be known as the USS Adair, was launched 29 February 1944 by Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Shipyard Co., Sparrows Point, Md., under a Maritime Commission contract. It was transferred to the Navy 15 July 1944 and commissioned the same day, with her new Captain S. P. Comly in command.
During 1944 and 1945 Adair carried troops and cargo between Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Saipan, Tinian, Ulithi, Hollandia, Manus, and Guam, with two diversions to amphibious duty. From 11 to 12 January 1945 she participated in the Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, landings and from I to 5 April 1945 in the Invasion of Okinawa. With the end of World War II she supported the occupation of Korea (September-October) and China (16-30 December). She also served with the "Operation: Magic Carpet" fleet, returning American servicemen to the United States from the Pacific.
Adair reported to the Commander of the 5th Naval District, 8 March 1946, and was decommissioned on 30 April 1946. She was returned to the Maritime Commission on 3 May 1946.
Sketch of USS Adair (APA-91)
by Chief Quartermaster Russell Gibbs
USN USS Adair (APA-91)
Historically, during World War II and the Korean War, commendations called "battle stars" were also issued to United States Navy warships for meritorious participation in battle, or for having suffered damage during battle conditions.
Adair received two battle stars for her World War II service.
After the wars ended, she was placed into commercial service after being sold in 1947 to American Export Lines, Inc., New York, who renamed her renamed SS Express. Later, she was sold again to the Mutual Steamship Operating Company. She would be later scrapped in 1970.