Carina was laid down 30 September 1942, as the liberty ship SS David Davis under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 502, launched on 6 November 1942, by Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard No.

[4] Carina departed from San Francisco Bay on 14 December 1942, laden with cargo for Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal in the South Pacific Ocean.

Operating to aid in the consolidation of the southern Solomon Islands, she steamed between the main port of Espiritu Santo and Purvis Bay, Tulagi, Tongatapu, and Tagoma Point.

Carina continued her cargo missions until 12 July 1943, when she departed from Espiritu Santo and steamed home for an overhaul and crewmen's leave at San Francisco, California.

She arrived in the dangerous combat waters off Okinawa on 26 April, and on 4 May, she became the target of a determined Japanese suicide boat, which successfully rammed Carina.