Bluebird was launched on 15 February 1946, sponsored by Mrs. Paul Lambert Borden, and commissioned at the Charleston Naval Shipyard on 28 May 1946.

The ship arrived in Pearl Harbor on 12 October and relieved USS Widgeon (AM-22) as rescue vessel for SubRon 5.

Bluebird remained at Pearl Harbor for the next six months inspecting rescue and salvage equipment on board SubRon 5 submarines and assisting them in training missions.

The two ships conducted exercises along the way and made a stop at Midway Island before reentering Pearl Harbor on 13 December.

She operated with submarines and trained divers until 20 May, at which time she left Oahu for the east coast of the United States.

Steaming via the Panama Canal and San Juan, Puerto Rico, the submarine rescue vessel arrived in New London, Connecticut, on 16 June 1950.