She was originally assigned to the United Kingdom and was laid down on 12 January 1943 as BDE-42 by the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington; redesignated DE-42 on 16 June 1943; named Reynolds on 23 June 1943; launched on 1 August 1943; and christened by Mrs. D. L. Reynolds, widow of Ensign Reynolds, and commissioned on 1 November 1943, Lt. Comdr. Edward P. Adams in command.