USS Sims (DE-154)

The second Sims (DE-154) was laid down on 7 September 1942 at Portsmouth, Va,., by by the Norfolk Navy Yard; launched on 6 February 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Anne H. Sims; and commissioned on 24 April 1943, Lt. Cmdr. Charles G. Raible in command.

After fitting out, Sims completed her shakedown off Bermuda. She was then assigned to Task Group (TG) 21.6 escorting tankers from Curacao to Londonderry, Northern Ireland. After two such runs, the western terminus was changed to New York, and the escort made eight more trips escorting tankers from New York to Londonderry. In the 20 crossings, only one tanker was sunk by a U-boat.

On 23 September 1944, Sims entered the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Mass., for conversion into a high-speed transport. The work completed, Sims (now designated APD-50) departed Boston on 6 December 1944 for Norfolk, Va. She served as a training ship there until 24 January 1945 when she put to sea. After transiting the Panama Canal, and a brief shakedown period at San Diego, the transport arrived at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 20 February.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Sims II (DE-154)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.