 She was renamed "Kangaroo" 27 October 1943, launched on 6 November 1943 sponsored by Mrs. Rufus C. Harris, acquired by the Navy on bareboat basis 17 December, and commissioned on 20 December with Lieutenant G. D. Lawson in command.Following shakedown in the Gulf of Mexico, "Kangaroo" departed Guantanamo Bay Naval Base on 24 January 1944, transited the Panama Canal on 28 January, and steamed to Noumea, New Caledonia, arriving 1 March.Assigned to the Service Force Pacific as a replacement for "Stag" (IX-128), she loaded fuel and supplies and departed for Guadalcanal on 21 March.