The ship was reacquired for U.S. government service in World War II with the Army Transport Command, when she was renamed USAT Major General Henry Gibbins.

Major General Henry Gibbins was torpedoed and sunk off Key West, Florida by German submarine U-158 on 23 June 1942.

West Elcasco was powered by a steam turbine driving a single screw propeller, delivering a service speed of between 10.5 and 11.25 knots.

After stopping briefly at San Pedro, California, she transited the Panama Canal and arrived at New York on 2 December.

With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, shipping losses caused by U-boats created an increased demand for tonnage.

[6] In February 1942, Major General Henry Gibbins, along with the SS Florida, transported 850 troops and their weapons to the oil refinery port of Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, disembarking their cargoes on the 11th.

Major General Henry Gibbins was fortunately still safely in port when German submarines attacked shipping in the area on the 16th.