USS Vermilion (AKA-107)

• Commissioning and Namesake: USS Vermilion (AKA-107) was an attack cargo ship of the Tolland-class, commissioned by the U.S. Navy on 9 June 1945. She was named after Vermilion Parish in Louisiana. • Late World War II Arrival: Vermilion was commissioned too late to see combat in World War II but played a vital role in post-war operations, including transporting cargo and troops. • Operation "Magic Carpet": She participated in Operation "Magic Carpet," the massive effort to return U.S. servicemen home from the Pacific after WWII. • Atlantic Fleet Service: After initial Pacific duty, Vermilion was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet, where she operated primarily along the East Coast, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. • Korean War Service: Although based in the Atlantic, Vermilion supported the Korean War by transporting troops and equipment, demonstrating the global reach of the U.S. Navy. • Lebanon Crisis 1958: Vermilion took part in the U.S. intervention in Lebanon in 1958, helping to land Marines to stabilize the region during a political crisis. • Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962, she was actively involved in the U.S. naval quarantine of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, supporting amphibious readiness. • Humanitarian Missions: Vermilion also took part in humanitarian and disaster relief operations in the Caribbean, providing aid after hurricanes and other emergencies. • Movie Appearance: The USS Vermilion was featured in the 1956 film "Away All Boats," serving as a filming location and appearing in several scenes. • Decommissioning and Fate: Vermilion was decommissioned in 1969, struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1973, and eventually sold for scrap in 1988, closing the chapter on a ship that served across three decades and numerous historic events.