 On 29 January 1919, "Dakotan" was transferred to the Navy and commissioned the same day, with Lieutenant Commander J. Simmons, United States Naval Reserve Forces (USNRF), in command.Outfitted for service as a troop transport to return American servicemen from Europe, "Dakotan" made five transatlantic roundtrips to France as part of the Navy's Cruiser and Transport Force between 15 February and 20 July.Eastbound journeys delivered cargo to Saint-Nazaire and Bordeaux for the Army of Occupation; westbound trips returned soldiers to the United States.