SS Canada Victory

The SS "Canada Victory" was one of 531 Victory ships built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on January 12, 1944, and was completed on February 28, 1944. The ship’s United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3, hull number 93 (1009). The Maritime Commission turned her over to a civilian contractor, the Alaska SS Company, for operation.
World War II.
The SS "Canada Victory" was used as a cargo ship in World War II. She was sent to Okinawa to supply ammunition for the Battle of Okinawa on April 27, 1945; while unloading the ammunition she was hit by a "kamikaze" attack airplane in cargo hold five. A large explosion blew out the side of the ship, and she sank in seven minutes at 26.23N 127.41E, 2.5 miles west of Tokashiki Island. Two armed guards and one merchant marine were killed, and twelve crew members were wounded in the attack. The "USS Pakana (ATF-108)", a fleet ocean tug, picked up survivors of the "Canada Victory".
The "SS Logan Victory" and "SS Hobbs Victory" were also hit by "kamikaze" planes at Okinawa. The "SS Logan Victory" and "SS Hobbs Victory" sank as fires on them grew. The "SS Pierre Victory" was able to shoot down one plane and move away from the burning ships. "Canada Victory" was one of three Victory Ships, and one of forty-seven ships sunk by "kamikaze" attack during World War II.
The loss of the three Victory ships, each sunk by "kamikaze" attacks during the invasion of Okinawa, severely hurt the combat forces. The ships were carrying a total of 24,000 tons (54 million pounds) of ammunition; including most of the 81 mm mortar shells needed for the invasion.
The ammunition ship "SS Saginaw Victory" arrived April 12, 1945, at Okinawa to replace the ammunition lost on the ships. More ammunition ships were not needed as the war came to an end without the invasion of Japan, called Operation Downfall. "Canada Victory" was one of forty-seven ships sunk by "kamikaze" attack during World War II. The other ammunition ship at Okinawa was the SS "Berea Victory"
Honors.
The crew of Naval Armed Guards on the SS "Canada Victory"' earned Battle Stars in World War II for war action during the assault and occupation of Okinawa from April 26 to 27, 1945.