Bunting was laid down on 1 October 1942 at Benton Harbor, Michigan, by the Dachel-Carter Shipbuilding Corp.; launched on 29 May 1943; and commissioned on 23 July 1943 at Algiers, Louisiana, Lt. J. H. Hawkins, USNR, in command. On 6 May 1960, Bunting was decommissioned at Key West. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1960. The minehunter remained inactive at Key West for a little more than two years. Sometime between July and September 1962, she was sunk as a target.