Pacific ships

USN · AK

Alcyone

Photos and info
Afloat

Attack cargo ship, AKA-7. Sun Shipbuilding launched her in 1939 as the merchant ship Mormacgull. She commissioned on 15 June 1941 as the cargo ship AK-24, under Daniel Michael McGurl, and was redesignated AKA-7 on 26 November 1942. She carried 1st Marine Division equipment to New Zealand in 1942 and did not land it at Guadalcanal. As an attack cargo ship she worked Makin, Kwajalein, Saipan, Guam, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, and Zambales. She entered Tokyo Bay on 26 August 1945. Decommissioned at Portsmouth on 23 July 1946. Eight battle stars.

TypeCargo ship (AK)
HullAKA-7
BuilderSun Shipbuilding, Chester
Launched1939-08-28
Commissioned1941-06-15
FateAfloat. She was not sunk. Commissioned as the cargo ship AK-24 and redesignated the attack cargo ship AKA-7 on 26 November 1942. Decommissioned at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, on 23 July 1946, struck on 15 August 1946, and sold on 17 March 1947. She went to the Johnson Line as the merchant ship Star Alcyone and was scrapped in 1969.
Command
  • McGurl, Daniel Michael Commanding officer from 15 June 1941; Had her for the Iceland run, the Caribbean convoys, and the landing at Scoglitti; The Legion of Merit for the Sicilian landing is his; Relieved on 3 August 1943
  • McVey, James Bertrand Commanding officer from 3 August 1943; Had her at Makin and at Kwajalein; Relieved on 5 April 1944
  • Knickerbocker, Hermann Pierce Commanding officer from 5 April 1944; Had her at Saipan, Guam, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, and Zambales; Relieved on 10 August 1945
  • Howe, Harry C. Commanding officer from 10 August 1945; Had her when she entered Tokyo Bay on 26 August 1945; Relieved in December 1945
  • Toy, Walter Frederick Commanding officer from December 1945; Had her through decommissioning on 23 July 1946

Laid down, displacement, length, beam, draft, speed, and complement are not stored for each hull, so this table leaves them out.

U.S. Navy photo NH 83228. USS Alcyone underway, about 1942, while she was still the cargo ship AK-24. Naval History and Heritage Command. Public domain.

The pictures on this page are the originals.

Command

DMMcGurl, Daniel MichaelCommanding officer from 15 June 1941Had her for the Iceland run, the Caribbean convoys, and the landing at ScoglittiThe Legion of Merit for the Sicilian landing is hisRelieved on 3 August 1943JMMcVey, James BertrandCommanding officer from 3 August 1943Had her at Makin and at KwajaleinRelieved on 5 April 1944HKKnickerbocker, Hermann PierceCommanding officer from 5 April 1944Had her at Saipan, Guam, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, and ZambalesRelieved on 10 August 1945HHHowe, Harry C.Commanding officer from 10 August 1945Had her when she entered Tokyo Bay on 26 August 1945Relieved in December 1945WTToy, Walter FrederickCommanding officer from December 1945Had her through decommissioning on 23 July 1946