Blue Ridge AGC-2. Appalachian Class Amphibious Force Command Ship: Laid down, 4 December 1942, as a Maritime Commission type (C2-S-B1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 201) at Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Kearny, N.J. Launched, 7 March 1943. Transferred to the US Navy, 15 March 1943. Commissioned USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2), 27 September 1943, LCDR. L. R. McDowell in command. During World War II USS Blue Ridge was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns: Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns Leyte operation (Leyte landings, 13 to 30 October 1944), Luzon operation (ingayen Gulf landings, 9 to 14 January 1945). Following World War II USS Blue Ridge was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods: Navy Occupation Service Medal and China Service Medal (extended), both 23 September 1945 to 24 February 1946. USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2) was assigned to Joint Task Force 1, Task Unit 1.3.3 Transportation Group (Observation Units) for Operation Crossroads the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946. Decommissioned, 14 March 1947. Struck from the Naval Register, 1 January 1960. USS Blue Ridge earned two battle stars for World War II service. Title transferred to the Maritime Administration, 26 August 1960. Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 18 August 1960, to Zidell Explorations, Inc., Portland, OR. (PD-X-583 dated 22 July 1960) for $91,138.83, withdrawn from the US Naval Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group, 26 August 1960 (https://www.navsource.org/archives/10/01/0102.htm).