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| USN Design 1095 Hospital Ship 6,000 Tons 417' 9" x 60' x 27' 8" Armament: None  USN March 1944 |
Ship History Built by New York Shipbuilding in Camden, New Jersey. Laid down 1920 for the United States Shipping Board (USSB) as Emergency Fleet Corporation Design 1095 passenger/cargo (502 type) with hull number 250. Launched February 23, 1921 named SS Blue Hen State, the nickname for the State of Delaware. In 1922, renamed President Garfield for U.S. President James A. Garfield. In 1923 transferred to Dollar Line. On August 26, 1925 ran aground off Nantucket, Massachusetts and the next day was successfully refloated. During 1926, sold to Dollar Line. On June 1, 1928 accidentally collided with SS Kershaw that sank with the loss of seven sailors off Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Afterwards, President Garfield rescued 30 survivors. On January 20, 1929 ran aground on Matanilla Reef in the Bahamas. Afterwards, her passengers were transfers to SS Pan America and refloated three days later. During 1938, transfered to the American President Lines and renamed SS President Madison in honor of U.S. President James Madison. On September 6, 1941 in Boston delivered to the U.S. Government for use under military charter manned by her civilian crew from American President Lines. On November 27, 1941 departs Shanghai to withdraw U.S. Marines from 2d Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Donald Curtis bound for the Philippines. On November 30, 1941 arrives Olongapo and disembarks the Marines then departs for Singapore. Wartime History At the start of the Pacific War, in transit from Manila bound for Surabaya on Java and was unaware that hostilities commenced and arrived with lights on flying the U.S. flag. On arrival, the ship was blacked out and the crew and passengers began hastily painting the vessel gray. Carpenters aboard built a fake deck guns out of wood to give the appearance the ship was armed in hopes of deterring any attacks. Afterwards, departs on a voyage bound fro New York. Nicknamed the "Phantom Ship" because it managed to evade the Japanese. On April 11, 1942 purchased by the U.S. Navy (USN) in Baltimore and underwent conversion into a troop transport. Commissioned on August 5, 1942 as USS Kenmore (AP-62). Afterwards underwent a brief shakedown cruise in in Chesapeake Bay. On September 6 1942 arrives Norfolk and embarks cargo and personnel from 13th Marine Defense Battalion and the 18th Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) "Seabee" and 19th Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) "Seabee". On September 19, 1942 arrives Guantánamo Bay on Cuba then departs via the Panama Canal then joins a convoy bound for the South Pacific. On October 4, 1942 embarks the U.S. Marine Corps 9th Defense Battalion. On November 11, 1942 arrives Nouméa and unloads. On November 9, 1942 joins Amphibious Forces, South Pacific. On November 28, 1942 departs Nouméa as a unit of Task Force 62 (TF 62) bound for Guadalcanal. On December 3, 1942 arrives Togoma Point on Guadalcanal and begins unloading for the next two days then departs bound for Nouméa arriving December 11, 1942. Next, steams alone across the Pacific. On January 5, 1943 arrives San Francisco for overhaul at General Engineering & Drydock Company. Between February 8, 1942 until May 27, 1942 operates between San Francisco and Hawaii transporting cargo and troops. On June 13, 1942 departs San Francisco across the Pacific. On July 6, 1942 arrives Nouméa then departs bound for Guadalcanal. On July 13, 1942 arrives Tenaru on Guadalcanal then returns to Nouméa on July 20, 1942. Five days later, departs across the Pacific and via the Panama Canal to Cristóbal then via Guantanamo Bay to Norfolk arriving September 2, 1942. On September 16, 1942 decommissioned at Baltimore and begins conversion by Maryland Drydock Company into a hospital ship. On February 24, 1944 renamed USS Refuge (AH-11) and recommissioned at Baltimore On March 10, 1944 departs for Norfolk and assigned to Service Force, Atlantic to transport casualties from Europe to the United States. On April 20, 1944 departs Hampton Roads across the Atlantic bound for North Africa. On May 6, 1944 arrives Mers El Kébir, Algeria and begins embarking patients for two days then departs bound for the United States. On May 24, 1944 arrives Charleston. During June 1944 until the end of July 1944 made two voyages to the United Kingdom and embarks patients then transports them to Newport News and Norfolk. On August 2, 1944 departs bound for North Africa. On August 17, 1944 arrives Oran, Algeria then to southern France and Naples. On September 16, 1944 departs Naples via Oran then steams back to the United States. On October 6, 1944 arrives New York and undergoes an overhaul. On November 1, 1944 departs via Panama Canal bound for the South Pacific and assigned to the Service Force, 7th Fleet. On December 16, 1944 arrives Humboldt Bay and three days later departs for the Philippines. On December 24, 1944 arrives San Pedro Bay to embark patients from small landing craft and made voyages in the area to delivery patients Hollandia and Seeadler Harbor. On July 1, 1945 departs Seeadler Harbor bound for Manila and operates in the Philippines until the end of August 1945. Postwar On August 31, 1945 departs Manila bound f for Korea. On September 8, 1945 arrives Jinsen and departs nine days later via Shanghai to embark evacuees then departs for Okinawa arriving October 2, 1945. Afterwards, makes two voyages between Okinawa and Tsingtao. On October 22, 1945 departs Okinawa with patients via Saipan to embark more patients bound for the United States. On November 18, 1945 arrives San Francisco and undergoes overhaul. On December 11, 1945 departs bound for Japan. On January 4, 1946 arrives Yokosuka and embarks personnel and departs three days later bound for the United States. On January 28, 1946 arrives Seattle. On April 2, 1946 decommissioned in Seattle. On May 8, 1946 struck from the Navy list. On June 29, 1946 delivered to the War Shipping Administration (WSP) and placed in the Reserve Fleet at Olympia, Washington State. Fate On February 2, 1948 sold to Consolidated Builders for scrap and broken up. Awards For her World War II service, earned one battle star. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Comfort II (AH-6) 1944–1946 Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Records Relating to Hospital Ships and USNS Comfort during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 1906-1991 NavSource - USS Comfort (II) (AH-6) Contribute
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