Mellette (APA-156) served as an attack transport of the Haskell class. Oregon Shipbuilding at Portland launched her on 4 August 1944, and the Navy commissioned her on 27 September 1944.
Units of the 4th Marine Division filled her for the assault on Iwo Jima. She was in the opening landing, with boats ready to move that division onto the eastern shore.
On 19 February 1945 she was off Iwo Jima for the opening assault. Across six days she held off the eastern beaches, sending the division's gear ashore and bringing casualties back aboard.
Those six days on the eastern shore were her fight at Iwo Jima. She came through the war. Two battle stars stand on her wartime record.