The USS John Penn (APA-23)-- Part 1

From Wikipedia. //// A civilian ship launched in 1931 and one of the American Export Line's Four Aces. Originally named the Excombion. Acquired by the Navy 8 January 1942, and the only one of the John Penn-class. It was classified as an attack transport. //// Participated in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. October-November, it loaded and crossed the Atlantic and landed cargo under heavy enemy shore nattery fire and shot down an attacking plane. //// Two of its fellow Four Aces, the Joseph Hewes AP-50 (formerly the Excalibur) and Edward Rutledge AP-52 (formerly the Exeter) were sunk by German U-boats during Operation Torch. //// --GreGen