The United States Shipping Board acquired her on 18 March 1918 for World War I service and transferred her to the U.S. Navy at New York City the same day.

Texan arrived at Brest, France, on 24 April 1918 and, after discharging her cargo, began the return voyage to New York on 19 May 1918.

Upon her arrival there, she underwent voyage repairs and then loaded supplies, including 405 tons of ammunition and 10 locomotives destined for Marseilles, France.

[1][2] She made another round trip to Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France, in November and December 1918 before returning to New York on 4 January 1919.

During World War II she was on a commercial voyage when German submarine U-126 torpedoed, shelled and sank her off Cape San Antonio, Cuba, on 11 March 1942.