Bowie (APA-137) was laid down on 28 August 1944 at Wilmington, Los Angeles, by the California Shipbuilding Corp. under a United States Maritime Commission contract (MCV hull 53); launched on 31 October 1944; sponsored by Mrs. J. Shaw; delivered to the Navy on 21 December 1944: and commissioned on 23 December 1944 at Terminal Island, California.

The ship departed from San Francisco Bay on 17 June to sail across the Pacific Ocean to the Philippines, refuelling at Eniwetok.

The attack transport moved to Lingayen Gulf on 2 and 3 October, and embarked troops for occupation service in Japan.

On the 22d, Bowie departed Sasebo for Guam, arriving on the 27th and continuing on the same day, reaching San Diego, California, on 12 November.

The attack transport made a round-trip voyage from the west coast to Guam and back between 27 November and 27 December bringing veterans of the Pacific theater home to the United States.

Steaming via San Diego and the Panama Canal, she arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, on 4 February, and began preparations for inactivation.

She was berthed with the National Defense Reserve Fleet at James River, Virginia, and remained there until, on 9 April 1973, she was sold to the Union Minerals and Alloys Corporation, New York City, for scrapping.