Dear Ms.,
Thank you for your question, it would be my pleasure to help you. Built in Trieste, Italy in 1928, the SS Conte Grande was purchased by the U.S. Navy in April 1942 after the Italian cruise ship was interned in Brazil. Converted to a Troop Ship, the ship was renamed U.S.S. Monticello AP-61. Your uncle shared with you the correct ship, just the pre-WW 2 name. The specific voyage in question is as follows:
Departure Date: January 20, 1943
Departure Location: Los Angeles, California Port of Embarkation
Troop Ship: U.S.S. Monticello AP-61
Arrival Date: February 6, 1943
Arrival Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Good Luck with your quest.
Richard V. Horrell
WW 2 Connections