USAT John L. Clem - World War II

World War II

In March 1941 the U.S. Army purchased the Irwin. Renamed John L. Clem, she was converted to a troopship at New York City, and operated between the United States East and Gulf Coasts and ports in the Caribbean and Central America from June 1941 to September 1943. She was then sent to Mobile, Alabama, where she was converted to a hospital ship.

Upon completion of this work in June 1944, John L. Clem steamed across the Atlantic to begin duty in the western Mediterranean. She returned to the U.S. in June 1945 to begin preparations for service in the Pacific. However, Japan surrendered and the plans were cancelled.