 1931) by the Maritime Commission and renamed "Raccoon" by the Navy on 27 October 1943.Her keel was laid down on 7 November 1943 by the Delta Shipbuilding Company, in New Orleans, Louisiana.She was launched on 23 December 1943 sponsored by Mrs. J. C. W. Becham, accepted from the War Shipping Administration under bareboat basis on 31 January 1944, and commissioned on 1 February 1944 with Lieutenant Michael E. Vallario, USNR, in command.