on 23 august 1918, "minnesotan" was transferred to the united states navy at norfolk, virginia. she was commissioned into the naval overseas transportation service (nots) the same day, with lieutenant commander e. l. smith, united states naval reserve forces (usnrf), in command. "minnesotan" was refitted and rearmed and made a brief roundtrip to new york. after taking on a general cargo, "minnesotan" sailed 4 september to join a convoy from new york. after passing gibraltar on 21 september, the cargo ship sailed on to marseille and unloaded. departing there on 21 october, she sailed for newport news via gibraltar, arriving back in the united states on 7 november.