From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Bowie is a county in Texas.

(APA-137: dp. 6873; l. 455'; b. 62'; dr. 24'; s. 17.5 k.; cpl. 536; a. 1 5"; cl. Haskell)

Bowie (APA-137) was launched 31 October 1944 by California Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, Calif., under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. J. Shaw; transferred to the Navy 22 December 1944; commissioned the following day, Commander F. L Durnell in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

Between 20 February and 27 July 1945 Bowie operated out of Pearl Harbor on troop and cargo runs to Eniwetok, Marshall Islands; Guam; Saipan; Ulithi; and Okinawa, with one voyage from San Francisco to Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Leyte (17 June-14 July 1945). Remaining at Pearl Harbor, 27 July-1 September, the transport then steamed to Japanese waters where from 22 September to 22 October she supported the occupation. Returning to the United States she was decommissioned at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard 8 March 1946 and returned to the Maritime Commission 14 March 1946.

Bowie received one battle star for her participation in the Okinawa operation (10-16 May 1945).