General W. G. Haan was launched 20 March 1945, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 715, by Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard No.

Departing 4 September 1945, for the southwest Pacific, the transport touched at Eniwetok, Leyte, and Manila, before returning to Seattle, Washington, with homecoming veterans 22 October.

Subsequently, the ship made two voyages to Japan and the Philippines, bringing occupation troops and embarking returning servicemen.

Arriving Baltimore, Maryland, 25 May, General W. G. Haan decommissioned there 7 June 1946, and was returned to the War Shipping Administration (WSA) for further transfer to the Army Transport Service.

[11] On 2 October 1949, General W. G. Haan departed Naples with 1303 displaced persons from Eastern Europe for resettlement in Australia,[12] arriving 15 November 1949, at Melbourne.

[13] Reacquired by the Navy 1 March 1950, General W. G. Haan was assigned to Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) under a civilian crew.

In 1952, General W. G. Haan also made two support voyages to the American bases at Thule, Greenland, and Goose Bay, Labrador.

[3] In December 1956, General W. G. Haan resumed duty as a refugee transport, steaming from Bremerhaven to New York, and arriving on 7 January 1957.