James O'Hara served as an attack transport of the Frederick Funston class, APA-90. Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding launched her on 30 December 1941. She went into the Pacific amphibious force and carried assault troops to the landings of that war.
Before dawn on 15 June 1944 she lay off Saipan in Turner's Northern Attack Force. The 4th Marine Division was the troop lift she brought to that beachhead. The early hour put her in place for the opening of the Saipan assault.
On 15 September 1944 she came up to the Palaus. On 17 September she sent troops ashore in the Angaur assault. Two days separated the approach to the island group from the hour the boats left her side.
She had sailed from Sansapor in Barbey's San Fabian Attack Force, the 6th Infantry Division embarked. On 9 January 1945 she stood into Lingayen Gulf. Assault troops and cargo went into the boats for the landings that began the campaign on Luzon.
She was decommissioned on 5 April 1946. Seven battle stars were awarded for her wartime record.