Prior to her MSTS service, she served as U.S. Army transport USAT George W. Goethals during World War II.

George W. Goethals was laid down under Maritime Commission contract 7 January 1941 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Company of Pascagoula, Mississippi; launched as Pascagoula 23 January 1942; delivered to the Army 18 September 1942; and renamed for the builder of the Panama Canal George W. Goethals.

After the war, she continued transatlantic runs carrying military dependents between the United States and Europe.

Transporting troops and military cargo, she steamed to England, Germany, North Africa, Italy, Greece, and Turkey during European and Mediterranean deployments.

Transferred to the Maritime Administration 20 November 1960 she entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet, and was berthed in the Hudson River at Jones Point, New York.