 She was launched on 15 December 1943 sponsored by Mrs. Will Camp Sealy, delivered to the Navy on 13 January 1944, and commissioned on 14 January 1944 with Lieutenant Commander R. Parmenter in command.Following shakedown out of New Orleans, "Whippet" got underway late in January for duty in the South Pacific.She arrived at Bora Bora in the Society Islands on 27 February and remained there until 9 March when she continued her voyage.