USS Garrard The Significance of the Name of the World War II Ship In 1943 American citizens began raising money to aid in the cost of fighting World War II. Garrard County, Kentucky citizens were the first in the state of Kentucky to reach their War Bond Drive quota of $350,000. Not only were they they first in the state to reach their quota, but the citizens of Garrard County were able to accomplish that in only eleven days. In fact, contributions to the War Bond Drive from Garrard County, Kentucky totaled $433,000! In honor of this heroic effort, the US Navy Attack Transport APA 84 was named the USS Garrard. For more information and photos of the ship, visit the Naval Historical Center