Pledge, a steel-hulled minesweeper, was laid down 1 July 1943 by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., Chickasaw, Alabama; launched 23 December 1943; sponsored by Mrs. C. A. Bender; and commissioned 29 July 1944 with Lt. Thomas Knotts in command. After shakedown, Pledge reported to the Atlantic Fleet 30 September 1944. Following patrol off the coast of Maine until 7 November, she trained off Norfolk, Virginia, 9 to 29 November and at Miami, Florida, 2 December 1944 to 10 March 1945. To prepare for Pacific duty, Pledge underwent overhaul at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 13 March to 1 April.