General -
Built under a Maritime Commission contract. Operated during WWII with a Navy crew but Army medical staff.
1944 -
Commissioned on 5 May. She sailed from San Pedro, CA on 21 June for Brisbane, Australia, and Hollandia, New Guinea. She operated from Hollandia and evacuated wounded from Leyte, Philippine Islands, on two voyages in October and November and then brought patients back to San Pedro in December.
1945 -
She returned to Hollandia on 6 February via way of Leyte. Following a voyage to Subic Bay and Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, for evacuees in March, the hospital ship stood by off Okinawa from 2 to 9 April, and received wounded for evacuation to Guam. Returning to Okinawa 23 April, she was struck by a Japanese suicide plane which killed 28 persons (including six nurses), and wounded 48 others, and causing considerable damage. After temporary repairs at Guam, Comfort sailed for Los Angeles, CA and arrived there on 28 May. She arrived in Subic Bay on 5 September and served as a stationary hospital until 11 October. Following a voyage to Okinawa she sailed for home by way of Yokohama, Japan, and Guam, reaching San Pedro, CA, on 11 December.
1946 -
She made one more voyage beginning on 1 January to Manila, Yokohama; Inchon, Korea; and Okinawa returning on 4 March to San Francisco where she was decommissioned on 19 April. She was transferred to the Army the same day.
These specifications and ship histories are adapted from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (US Naval Historical Center) and from various other sources. These summaries may not reflect the most recent information concerning the ships' status or operations. If you find an error or discrepancy, please email me at troopships@pier90.org or fill out our online crossing submission form.
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