USS Suamico (AO-49) was the lead ship of her class of Type T2-SE-A1 fleet oilers of the United States Navy. The ship was laid down as the SS Harlem Heights under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 319) on 27 September 1941 by the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. of Chester, Pennsylvania. Launched on 30 May 1942; sponsored by Mrs. W. Potter; she was delivered to the Navy on 27 June 1942; converted to a fleet oiler at Brooklyn, New York, by the Bethlehem Steel Co.; and commissioned as USS Suamico (AO-49), on 10 August 1942, Comdr. R. E. Butterfield in command.