 Little, acquired for the Navy on 31 March through the Maritime Commission from her owner, Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (later renamed Mobil Oil), New York City, and commissioned as "Kankakee" at Norfolk, Virginia, on 4 May, Captain W. H. Mayes in command.Departing Norfolk on 1 June 1942, "Kankakee" transported a cargo of fuel oil from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, and arrived San Francisco via San Pedro on 14 July for additional conversion.She cleared the Golden Gate on 27 August and steamed to Nouméa, New Caledonia, arriving on 18 September to commence duty as a unit of ServRon 8.