Barnes was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract and was transferred to the United States Navy on 1 May 1942.

The major task of Barnes throughout World War II was the transporting of aircraft and personnel from the United States to the forward areas of the Pacific.

While performing these duties she launched her planes on several raids against Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands operation from 20 November–5 December 1943, and provided invaluable aircraft replenishment to the various task groups of the 3rd Fleet during the western Caroline Islands operation from 6 September–14 October 1944, and the Luzon attacks on 19 October 1944.

Returning to the United States in March 1946, Barnes remained on the West Coast for a period of time and then steamed to Boston, Massachusetts, where she was placed out of commission in reserve on 29 August 1946.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.