she was originally scheduled for transfer to great britain, was laid down as bde-39 on 7 september 1942 by puget sound navy yard, bremerton, washington. ordered retained for use by the navy, she was named on 14 june 1943 and reclassified de-39 on 16 june. launched on 18 june 1943 by miss j. shannon, she commissioned on 11 september 1943, lt. comdr. a. h. donaldson, usnr in command.