She was named after Benjamin Harrison, an American planter and merchant, a revolutionary leader, and a Founding Father of the United States.

Benjamin Harrison was laid down on 27 September 1941, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MCE hull 26, by the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland; and was launched on 24 January 1942.

[4] She was loaded with stores for Allied forces in North Africa and sailed from Hampton Roads on 4 March 1943, with Convoy UGS 6.

As the crew began to abandon ship, confusion caused the two of the lifeboats to be improperly launched, allowing the occupants to be dropped into the ocean.

The escort ship Rowan scuttled Benjamin Harrison at 21:30, with gunfire, 150 mi (240 km) east northeast of Terceira, Azores, near 39°09′N 24°15′W / 39.150°N 24.250°W / 39.150; -24.250.