USNS Petrolite (T-AO-164) was a Suamico-class T2 tanker laid down on 12 October 1943 under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1723).

With the end of hostilities she was laid up in the Maritime Commission Reserve Fleet at Puget Sound, Olympia, Washington,[1] and renamed Petrolite in 1946.

[2] In November 1956 the tanker was activated by the Maritime Commission for charter to the Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS Petrolite (T–AO–164).

She operated under contract with a civilian crew until 5 September 1957, when she was struck from the Navy List and again laid up with the Maritime Administration Reserve Fleet at Olympia.

[1] Petrolite was sold to Sea-Land Service, Inc., on 18 April 1969 and converted into a containerized cargo ship at Todd Shipyards Corp., San Francisco.