Mary Patten was laid down on 21 July 1943, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MCE hull 1725, by the Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard No.

The ship discharged her cargo and then entered the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for an overhaul of her main engines and boilers.

The process was hampered by frequent enemy air attacks and reefs in the lagoon which permitted the ship to unload only at high tide.

The cargo ship lay at anchor in Majuro lagoon, issuing stores to forces ashore, until 3 June, when she got underway for Eniwetok.

After serving at that atoll until 24 August, she steamed back to Hawaii; paused for one day at Pearl Harbor; and then pushed on to the US West Coast.

[3] Following the holidays, Azimech got underway for Seattle, Washington, and entered the Puget Sound Navy Yard on 16 January 1945, for repairs.

Reaching San Pedro, California, on 15 September, the ship unloaded her ammunition and provisions to prepare for a yard period.

[3] The ship was subsequently laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, Virginia.