Embarking 5,600 army troops and sailors, on 2 November 1942 "Hermitage" departed New York with her skipper acting as convoy commodore. Six days later the North African invasion began, and "Hermitage" on 10–25 November debarked her passengers at Casablanca to participate in the momentous campaign. Returning to Norfolk, Virginia 11 December, "Hermitage" next headed for the Pacific with nearly 6,000 passengers embarked. After embarking and debarking passengers at Balboa, Noumea, Brisbane, Sydney, Pago Pago, and Honolulu, the former luxury liner put in at San Francisco 2 March 1943.