After shakedown, General A. W. Greely embarked 2,923 troops and civilians and departed San Pedro, Los Angeles, 16 April for Australia.

Between 28 July and 6 December she completed two round-trip voyages from New York to Calcutta, transporting occupation troops, mail, and cargo; and returning home-bound veterans to the United States.

Reacquired by the navy 1 March 1950, the ship was assigned to Military Sea Transportation Service under a civilian crew and her designation was changed to USNS General A. W. Greely (T-AP-141).

Operating out of New York, between 10 October 1951 and 22 February 1953 General A. W. Greely completed numerous transatlantic runs to Bremerhaven, Germany, and La Pallice, France.

Arriving on 3 July, she served until 30 September as barracks ship during Operation "Blue Jay," the construction of Thule Air Force Base.

Greely was sold for commercial use in 1968 to Pacific Far East Line (PFEL), converted to a container ship, and renamed SS Hawaii Bear, USCG ON 513675, IMO 6904791.