 "LST-900" was laid down on 1 October 1944 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the Dravo Corporation; launched on 9 December 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Felix R. Konkle; and commissioned on 6 January 1945, Lieutenant Neil A. McClaflin in command.After completing shakedown off Florida she loaded cargo at New Orleans and sailed for the west coast on 9 February.Arriving at San Francisco on 6 March, she departed 2 days later for Pearl Harbor where she arrived the 17th and began amphibious landing exercises.