Laid down as LST-1143 at Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Seneca, Illinois; redesignated landing craft repair ship ARL-35 14 August 1944; launched 27 April 1945; sponsored by Mrs. D. Steinmann; placed in partial commission 9 May 1945; sailed to Mobile, Alabama where she was decommissioned 21 May for conversion to a landing craft repair ship; and commissioned in full 19 October 1945 with Lieutenant R. E. Butler in command.