Catron served as an attack transport of the Gilliam class, APA-71, built to carry a landing force and its cargo into an assault anchorage. Consolidated Steel launched her at Wilmington on 28 August 1944. The Navy commissioned her on 28 November 1944.
Okinawa was her landing. Men of the 6th Marines were embarked when she stood offshore on 1 April 1945, the day the assault opened. She was there with the shipping that put that Marine lift onto the island.
She stayed in the transport area through the week that followed the opening day. Marine cargo kept moving from her holds into the boats and on to the beach. That week of boatwork was her combat employment.
One battle star stands for that wartime passage. On 29 August 1946 the Navy took her out of commission. The Bikini tests left her radioactive. Off Kwajalein on 6 May 1948, Atlanta (CL-104) destroyed her as a target.