The Protector served as a Victory II-class Star Destroyer within the ranks of the Imperial Navy through both the Galactic Civil War and later, the Yuuzhan Vong War.
The Protector made an attempt, ultimately unsuccessful, to prevent the Mon Calamari Cruiser named Independence from joining the rest of the Rebel fleet at Sullust in the time leading up to the Battle of Endor.
After surviving the Battle of Endor, this particular vessel was integrated into the fleet commanded by Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon.
In the year 28 ABY, after the military's defeat during the Battle of Bastion and the subsequent strategic retreat from Yaga Minor, forces gathered at the planet Borosk to mount a defense against the invading Yuuzhan Vong. During the ensuing battle, the Protector was given the responsibility of leading Fleet Group Protector, a temporary battlegroup created as one of four for the planet's protection.
Following this engagement, the Protector was among the Star Destroyers that received orders to deploy and provide assistance in the defense of Yaga Minor.
In the year 2008, The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia indicated the existence of three separate Victory-class Star Destroyers all bearing the name Protector within the Expanded Universe. Two of these ships were utilized by the Empire; one being this ship, and the other serving as the flagship for Admiral Harkov.
The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia further clarified that the Imperial Remnant's ship Protector, which appeared in The New Jedi Order: Force Heretic I: Remnant, was in fact the very same vessel.