Bayonne was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1487) on 6 May 1943, at Cleveland, Ohio, by the American Ship Building Company and launched on 11 September 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Hannah Gallagher.

Bayonne moved south to Hampton Roads, Virginia, at the end of February 1945 and, on 3 March 1945, put to sea bound for Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, whence she conducted her shakedown training.

[3] In February 1946, the United States began negotiations for the return of ships loaned to the Soviet Union for use during World War II.

[4] Reverting to her old name, Bayonne was placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet and remained inactive at Yokosuka until recommissioned there on 28 July 1950 for service in the Korean War.

On 11 September 1950, Bayonne left Kobe, Japan, in company with Task Group (TG) 90.7, bound for the west coast of Korea.

She continued service in Korean waters for the next 16 months, making voyages to Japan intermittently for repairs and liberty.