Pathfinder was built by the Lake Washington Shipyard of Houghton, Washington with her keel laid 20 February 1941, christened by Eleanor Roosevelt Boettinger, grand-daughter of the president, launched 11 January 1942 and completed 31 August 1942 with armament as a request by Navy as the ship's transfer had been approved by Department of Commerce before completion. The ship had been completed at a cost of $1,265,448 which was slightly under estimated costs. She was acquired by the U.S. Navy and commissioned 31 August 1942, with Capt. Bascom H. Thomas, USNR, in command.