Between 11 July and 7 August 1944 Baxter made three voyages between the west coast and Pearl Harbor transporting troops and cargo.

Baxter got underway from Manus, Admiralty Islands 31 December 1944 with troops and cargo and again steamed toward the Philippines.

On 27 March she departed the Philippines for Okinawa where she provided logistic support for the initial stages of the operation (1–6 April 1945).

From June 1945 until February 1946 Baxter made six voyages between west coast ports and the islands of the Western Pacific, and later Japan.

Baxter was sold for commercial service in 1947 to the Waterman Steamship Corporation of Mobile, Alabama, and renamed SS La Salle.