USAT Perida

Date: 5 Jun 1941 to 1946
Location: Pacific Theatre
Surname/tag: Hunt, Nielsen

The USAT Perida (formerly Marchen Maersk) was a refitted Danish Cargo Ship used during World War II for the Transportation of US Army Troops in the Pacific Theatre.

On 05/12/43, during the Attu, Aleution Islands Campaign, she hit an underwater pinnacle. She was towed to Safety and repairs were made. According to Lt. Col Hunt, they filled the hole with concrete and mattresses. Once this stop gap repair was completed she limped back to port for more substantive repair work.

For a complete listing of USAT's[1] For General information on USAT's [2]

Captain Christian Nielsen

Captain Christian Nielsen.

"He was the commodore of the Maersk fleet during WW2 and Captain of USAT Perida...". From his "obituary in from the Danish Merchant Fleet magazine. He...died in 1950 at the age of 70 years and seems to have been a well loved and respected man. It says that the Marchen Maersk was seized by the Americans and it and he were employed carrying troops in the Pacific Ocean for the rest of the war. It says the two World Wars he took part in had taken a toll on his health but he would not give up. Although we never knew the man...it is clear that he bore an enormous responsibility on his shoulders ensuring the safe passage of those troops knowing that the ship could be sunk at any time, and I cannot help but admire him." Chris Jarvest

Troop Transport Commanders

Lt. Col. Thomas C. Hunt, 1942-1943

Lt. Col. Thomas C. Hunt.

Then Major Thomas C. Hunt was the Troop Transport Commander for the Perida from 1942 through 1943.