Cambria (APA-36) served as an attack transport of the Bayfield class. Western Pipe and Steel at San Francisco launched her on 10 November 1942, and she was commissioned on 10 November 1943.
She joined the Saipan assault, which opened on 15 June 1944. Across the twenty-four days that followed, she took 715 casualties aboard.
As flagship for the officer commanding Task Force 52, she headed the Tinian landings, which ran from 24 July until 1 August 1944. Another 613 casualties came into her during that operation.
On 20 October 1944 she sent troops onto the shore at Dulag, Leyte, in the opening assault wave. Remaining off the island as an evacuation ship, she received 70 wounded men from the beach.
On 10 January 1945 she put troops ashore in Lingayen Gulf. On 1 April 1945 troops from her went onto Okinawa. Six battle stars stand on her wartime record.