From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Botetourt is a county in Virginia.

(APA-136: dp. 6720; l. 455'; b. 62'; dr. 24'; s. 17.5 k.; cpl. 536; a. 1 5"; cl. Haskell)

Botetourt was launched 19 October 1944 by California Shipbuilding Corp., Terminal Island, Calif., under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. R. C. Todd; transferred to the Navy 31 January 1945, and commissioned the same day, Commander W. A. Barr, USNR, in command.

Joining the Pacific Fleet, Botetourt left San Francisco 8 April 1945 for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides arriving on the 22nd. She operated out of Espiritu Santo and Manus, Admiralty Islands, until 25 August, carrying Army troops and cargo to Noumea, New Caledonia; Guadalcanal; Tulagi; Leyte, Luzon, and Samar in the Philippines; and Milne Bay, Hollandia, and Lae in New Guinea. The transport departed Manila Bay, Luzon, 25 August and joined TF 33 for the occupation of Japan, landing troops at Yokohama, Japan, 3 September. Botetourt made another voyage from the Philippines to Japan (22 September-6 October) and then (16-30 October) steamed to San Francisco with returning servicemen. She departed San Francisco 15 November for the Far East and until January 1946 shuttled troops from Korea to Japan. She then steamed, via Portland, Oreg., to Norfolk where she was placed out of commission in reserve 5 June 1946.

Recommissioned 23 September 1950, she joined the Atlantic Fleet and commenced amphibious landing exercises along the east coast with various Marine Corps units. During the period May 1951-December 1955 she made a cruise to Argentia, Newfoundland; one to the Mediterranean; one to ports along the North Sea, and eight to the Caribbean.

On 31 January 1956 Botetourt reported to Commander, Philadelphia Group. On 1 February 1956 she was placed in commission in reserve and on 27 April 1956 was placed out of commission in reserve.