USS Sarita (AKA-39) was an Artemis-class attack cargo ship named after the minor planet 796 Sarita. The meaning of the name is unknown. [1] USS Sarita served as a commissioned ship for 22 months. Sarita (AKA-39) was laid down on 22 December 1944 under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1900) by Walsh-Kaiser Co., Inc., Providence, R.I.; launched on 23 February 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Manuel T. Sousa; and commissioned on 22 March 1945, LCDR Erwin E. Smith in command.