USS Ara (AK-136) was a Crater-class cargo ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II, named after the constellation Ara. She was responsible for delivering troops, goods and equipment to locations in the war zone. Ara was laid down on 17 July 1941 as the liberty ship SS Daniel Boone by the California Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, California; launched on 14 January 1942; sponsored by Mrs. J. K. Doolan; acquired by the Navy under a bare-boat charter on 3 December 1943; renamed Ara (AK-136); and commissioned on 4 January 1944, Lt. Comdr. W. B. Hudgins in command.