Banshee IX-178

Banshee II

(IX-178: dp. 4500; 1. 446'; b. 58'2"; dph. 33'4"; a. 1 4", 13~)

The second Banshee (IX-178), a tanker, was built in 1917 by William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, Pa., as Harold Walker (later renamed W. C Fairbanks), chartered from the War Shipping Administration 13 December 1944; and commissioned 25 December 1944 at Milne Bay, New Guinea, Lieutenant Commander E. H. Lemon in command.

Between January and November 1945 Banshee served as a station tanker at Humbolot Bay, New Guinea (25 January-25 March ); Morotai Island, Netherlands East Indies (31 March-27 June); and Manila Bay, Luzon (August 17 November).

On 18 November 1945 Banshee steamed to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, where she underwent pre-inactivation overhaul until 4 February 1946. She was decommissioned 5 February 1946 and returned to the War Shipping Administration the same day.

Banshee received one battle star for her service during the Balikonpan operation (28 June-7 July 1945).