the ship was named for coxswain samuel booker roberts, jr., a navy cross recipient, who had been commended for voluntarily steering a higgins boat towards enemy forces, in order to divert fire from evacuation efforts being undertaken by other friendly vessels. "samuel b. roberts" was laid down on 6 december 1943, at the brown shipbuilding company of houston, texas. she was launched on 20 january 1944, sponsored by mrs. roberts, and was commissioned on 28 april 1944, commanded by lieutenant commander robert w. copeland, usnr. she was the first of three u.s. navy ships to bear his name.