USS Republic (AP-33) - Between The Wars

Between The Wars

President Grant was transferred to the Army 6 October 1919. During the period January to November 1920, she served as the United States Army Transport Republic and made two voyages repatriating Czechoslovak troops from Siberia to Trieste. After a trip to France, she was delivered to the USSR by the Army in March 1921. Until 1924, she lay at Norfolk, Virginia and then was placed on North Atlantic passenger service with United States Lines.

In 1931, she reverted to Army control as a troopship. After alterations, USAT Republic made three trips to San Francisco, Hawaii, and Manila. She later made two visits to China and one to Japan. In 1932, Far Eastern ports were excluded and she was confined to a regular New York-Honolulu run until June 1941.

USAT Republic was again taken over by the Navy and commissioned as USS Republic (AP-33) on 22 July 1941, under Commander G. Clark. Her armament consisted of one 5" and four 3" mounts. After a crossing from New York to Iceland, Republic sailed for San Francisco and in November left for the Southwest Pacific. Transporting the eventual legendary "Lost Battalion", the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, 36th Division (Texas National Guard), she reached Pearl Harbor on 28 November, refueling and leaving port a day later. On 6 December, she crossed the equator.