High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! USS Wharton (AP-7) was a troop transport and hospital ship in the service of the United States Navy during World War II. Originally built for the Munson Steamship Line as the cargo liner SS Southern Cross in 1921, she was acquired by the Navy as World War II approached and, once the United States became a combatant, she served as a troop transport and hospital ship in the Pacific Theatre. At war`s end, she returned Stateside proudly with three battle stars.