Dutchess served as an attack transport of the Windsor class, APA-98. Bethlehem launched her at Sparrows Point on 26 August 1944. The Navy commissioned her on 8 December 1944.
She was an attack transport of the late building program, meant to embark a landing force and the combat cargo that force would need once the boats started for the beach. Okinawa was the landing those boats would make.
On 1 May 1945 reinforcements went ashore from her at Okinawa, and combat cargo followed them into the boats. The lift was a fresh one for the campaign, men and cargo for a beach the assault had already opened.
When that work was finished she headed for Saipan with casualties aboard. One battle star was awarded for the war. Decommissioning came on 4 April 1946.