Passaic, the second U.S. Navy ship to be so named, was originally authorized as YN–113; redesignated AN–87 on 17 January 1944; laid down at Leathen & Smith Shipbuilding Co., Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. 25 April 1944; launched 29 June 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Sam H. North; and commissioned 6 March 1945. During the final months of World War II, Passaic was assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet and rendered valuable supporting action, maintaining and recovering antisubmarine nets in Pacific waters.