George Peterson, originally projected as USS Washtenaw (AK-218), but built as Coastal Guide, was laid down under a MARCOM contract, MC hull 2172, on 9 March 1945 by the Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; launched on 13 May 1945; sponsored by Mrs. L. R. Sanford; and delivered to the War Shipping Administration on 16 July 1945.

The cargo ship then commenced eight years of operations in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean, and along the southeastern seaboard of the United States for the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS).

During that period, she interrupted her regular service only once—to carry supplies north to arctic stations in the summer of 1955.

[4] Early in 1959, the AK was ordered inactivated; and, in March, she was placed out of service at New Orleans, Louisiana.

At mid-month, she was towed to Mobile, Alabama, where, on the 27th, she was transferred to the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) and berthed with the National Defense Reserve Fleet.

On 20 October 1982, she caught fire while undergoing repairs in Port Gardner, Everett, Washington.