Recruit was laid down by the General Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Alameda, California, 24 May 1943; launched 11 December 1943 sponsored by Miss Kathleen Merrit Jackson and commissioned 8 November 1944, Lt. Comdr. Chester A. Bowes in command. Following shakedown off San Pedro, California, Recruit steamed 5 January 1945 for Pearl Harbor, whence she escorted two convoys to Eniwetok. From there she proceeded with the second convoy to Ulithi arriving 9 March. Ten days later Recruit departed Ulithi with task group TG 52.5 for Okinawa. From the 24th to the 27th, she conducted clearance sweeps south of Tokashiki Island, Kerama Retto, then shifted to Okinawa for a pre-invasion sweep off the western beaches. After the invasion she operated north of Ie Shima, then returned to the Kerama Retto area.