David W. Taylor was built by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation, Chickasaw, Alabama, laid down on 12 June 1941, launched on 4 July 1942, and commissioned on 18 September 1943.

After escorting the aircraft carrier Intrepid to San Francisco, she sailed from Pearl Harbor 1 April to patrol in the Marshall Islands until 12 May.

From 15 June to 4 August 1944 David W. Taylor sailed in the screen of escort carriers and fleet oilers supporting the Marianas operation.

The destroyer joined the 3d Fleet 19 August, and sailed out of Manus screening the logistics group supporting the fast carrier task forces in their raids preparing for and accompanying the capture and occupation of the southern Palaus.

With her base of operations at Ulithi from 29 October, David W. Taylor continued to screen the logistics group until 22 November when she joined the carriers for air attacks on Luzon in support of the invading troops on Leyte.