Crockett County’s Namesake Ship, The USS Crockett, Steams out on Broad Pacific to Aid in ‘Liquidation’ of Japan

From Dec. 14, 1944 

Somewhere out on the broad expanse of the Pacific Ocean steams an American war ship in which residents of Crockett County henceforth will be vitally interested.  

That ship is the USS Crockett, named for Crocket County, Texas. Such is the information conveyed in a letter received this week from Jeff R. Marsh, Chaplain, USNR, aboard the Attack Transport ship which was named for Crockett County and which is now taking its place in carrying American vengeance to the Japanese.  

Chaplain Marsh’s letter conveying the information about Crockett County’s “own” ship was received this week. It was dated December 2, and reads as follows: 

“The APA (Attack Transport) ships are named for the counties in the states, therefore, we thought that you might be interested in the USS Crockett, APA 148, which is named for your county. 

“This ship carries a crew of 400 men or more and over forty officers but in addition to the regular crew, we transport a great number of troops. We who serve aboard this ship are proud of our great heritage and are determined that we shall carry into battle the spirit of our great leaders until victory is ours. 

“If you of Crockett County would like to keep in touch with this shop which bears your county’s name, we shall be glad to hear from you. We do feel that you will be anxious to know that we are fulfilling our pledge to be a worthy representative of the name we bear. 

“Within a few weeks we expect to be in the thick of the fighting and we are determined to go forth to be a safeguard unto our great nation and the ideals for which she stands.” 

Sincerely, 

J.R. Marsh, Chaplain, USNR 

To Chaplain Marsh and the men aboard the good ship USS Crockett goes a copy of this and future issues of The Stockman – also several copies of the Fiftieth Anniversary edition of 1941, that men aboard her might learn something of the history of the county their ship honors, and a letter which it is hoped will bring more information about the ship and the men aboard her. And more, a gift which may be shared by the 400 odd men and officers aboard her is already being considered by local groups and, no doubt, many letters from interested Crockett County citizens will go to the ship.