Poinsett II (AK-205)
(AK-205: dp. 7,125; l. 338-7-; b. 50-0-; dr. 21-1-; s. 12 k.; Cpl. 85; a. 1 3-, 6 20mm; cl. Alamosa; T. C1-M-AV1)
Joel Roberts Poinsett, born at Charleston, S.C., in 1779, served as the first U.S. Minister to Mexico, 1825-30 and as Secretary of War, 1837-41. He died near Statesbury, S.C,. in 1851. The first Poinsett retained her original Army name.
The second Poinsett was named for a county in Arkansas.
II
Poinsett (AK-205) was laid down as MC hull 2159 by Leatham D. Smith Shipbuilding Co., Sturgeon Bay, Wise. 6 November 1943; launched 22 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Robert L. Rote; acquired by the Navy 22 January 1945; and commissioned at Houston, Tex. 7 February 1945, Lt. Comdr. Robert M. Baughman, USNR, in command.
After shakedown off Galveston, Tex., Poinsett loaded ammunition at Theodore, Ala. and departed for the Panama Canal 21 March. She steamed to Ulithi thence to Zamboanga, Philippine Islands, arriving 11 May. After issuing ammunition there, she proceeded to Tawi Tawi, Sulu Archipeligo, and joined the main forces for the invasion of Balikpapan (1 July). On 10 July she departed Borneo for Morotai and the Philippines, whence she sailed southeast to Manus. There, while loading fleet issue clothing and small stores, she received word of the war-s end.
Poinsett then proceeded to Manila and Guiuan, Samar, to discharge her cargo. She departed 19 November for the Panama Canal and Norfolk for inactivation. Decommissioned 25 January 1946, she was returned to the Maritime Commission, 29 January 1946, and her name was struck from the Navy List, 12 March 1946.
Poinsett received one battle star for World War II service.
