Bernadou was launched on 7 November 1918 by William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, Philadelphia.

On 5 February 1942 Bernadou rescued ten surviving men in an open lifeboat in the North Atlantic, from the ship SS Gandia, after being sunk by U-135 14 days previously.

She won a Presidential Unit Citation for landing assault troops inside the harbor of Safi, French Morocco.

She returned to the United States in December 1943 and escorted two convoys to North Africa (22 February 1944 – 9 June 1944) before retiring to the less rigorous east coast-Caribbean runs.

In addition to her Presidential Unit Citation, Bernadou received five battle stars for her World War II service.