Cecil served as an attack transport of the Bayfield class, APA-96, built by Western Pipe and Steel at San Francisco. She served as an attack transport in the last great landings of the Pacific war, carrying troops and boats into assault anchorages.
On 19 February 1945 she lay off Iwo Jima and took a station for the opening assault. The initial landing was the work of that day, and Cecil's place was in the transport disposition for it.
Okinawa came next. On 9 April 1945 she put reinforcements ashore there. The surf was high, and the boats had to make the beach through it.
She was decommissioned on 24 May 1946. Two battle stars were credited to her wartime record.