She was launched on 10 November 1939 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Staten Island, New York and sponsored by Miss E. Mark; and commissioned 26 April 1940.

[1] Prewar days found Cherokee sailing on towing duties along the east coast of the United States and in the Caribbean.

Similar operations continued until 23 October 1942, when Cherokee sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, for the invasion of North Africa.

After overhaul, she reported at Bermuda 20 June 1943 to provide tug, towing, and salvage services to the escort vessels and submarines conducting training there.

Twice in 1944 she crossed the Atlantic to Casablanca to take stricken destroyers in tow for the United States, carrying out these difficult assignments with distinguished seamanship.