The ship was acquired by the United States Navy on 5 December 1944, and commissioned the same day as USS Red Oak Victory (AK-235).

Following a fitting-out period, Red Oak Victory was loaded with cargo and departed San Francisco for Pearl Harbor on 10 January 1945.

Red Oak Victory departed Hawaii on 10 February loaded with munitions needed in the Marshall and Caroline islands.

During a hazardous tour of duty in the Pacific, Red Oak Victory handled many tons of ammunition, supplying the fleet without a single casualty.

She is being restored and operated by the Richmond Museum of History and is associated with the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.