Hendry served as an attack transport of the Haskell class, APA-118. California Shipbuilding launched her at Wilmington on 24 June 1944. The Navy commissioned her on 29 September 1944.
At Iwo Jima her troops went in with the leading invasion forces on the morning of 19 February 1945. She stayed six days. By day she worked cargo onto the beaches, and at night she hauled clear of the island.
Japanese planes destroyed Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) in the waters off the island. In those same attacks Saratoga (CV-3) was damaged. Hendry was still with the transport area. On 25 February she sailed for Saipan.
Easter morning, 1 April 1945, found her at Okinawa. She put troops on the beach and remained ten days while kamikaze attacks struck the anchorage. On 10 April she sailed. Two battle stars were awarded for Iwo Jima and Okinawa.