From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

Charles Clarendon Ballou was born 13 June 1862 at Orange, N.Y., and graduated from the Military Academy in 1886. Entering the Infantry, Ballou served at various posts in the United States until the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, when he was commissioned Major in the 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He fought in the Philippines during the ensuing insurrection and was awarded the Silver Star. Following Quartermaster duty in the United States after the war, and another assignment in the Philippines, Ballou commanded the 92d Division in France during World War I. His postwar service included regimental command at Fort George Wright, Wash., 1920-23. Major General Ballou died 23 July 1928 at Spokane, Wash.

(AP - 157: dp. 9,950 (Lt.); l. 522'10"; b. 71'6"; dr. 24'; s. 16 k.; cpl. 356; trp. 3,823; a. 4 5", 4 40mm., 16 20mm.; cl General G. O. Squier; T. C4-S-A1)

General C. C. Ballou (AP-157) was launched 7 March 1945 under Maritime Commission contract by Kaiser Co., Inc., Yard 3, Richmond, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. Harry J. Bernat; acquired by the Navy 20 May 1945; and commissioned 30 June 1945, Comdr. M. D. MacGregor in command.

Following shakedown off San Diego, General C. C. Ballou departed San Pedro 29 July 1945 for France via the Panama Canal. She arrived Marseilles after the Japanese surrender, and sailed with returning veterans 23 August bound for Hampton Roads. Then after two roundtrip voyages to India and back to New York with returning soldiers and sailors, the ship sailed 13 January 1946 for a voyage that was to take her around the world visiting Calcutta, Manila, and other ports before mooring at San Francisco 8 March with over 3,000 troops. General C. C. Ballou completed her voyage by transiting the Panama Canal, arriving New York via San Juan 1 May. The transport decommissioned at Hoboken, N.J., 17 May, was returned to the Maritime Commission, and eventually served as a transport for Army Transportation Service.

General C. C. Ballou was reacquired by the Navy 1 March 1950 for MSTS and for nearly 2 years sailed between Europe and the United States with refugees seeking freedom and security. Beginning in 1952 the ship began transporting troops from the West Coast to Korea to aid in the effort to repel Communist aggression there. Following the armistice, General C. C. Ballou continued to sail to Japan and Korea on troop rotation duty. She was placed out of service in September 1954 and placed in reserve at Orange, Tex. Later delivered to the Maritime Commission National Defense Reserve Fleet at Beaumont, Tex., she was struck from the Navy List 1 July 1960, and remains in reserve.

General C. C. Ballou received five battle stars for Korean conflict service.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.com)