Jarvis was laid down by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Seattle, Washington; 7 June 1943; launched 14 February 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Harold Burkit, daughter of Rufus C. Holman, U.S.

Arriving 31 August, she proceeded independently 3 September to Adak, Alaska, to join the North Pacific Force, engaged in operations against the Kurile Islands.

Operating out of Adak and Attu, Jarvis battled stormy seas and prolonged bad weather to conduct eight raids on shipping and shore installations from Paramushiru to Matsuwa.

Arriving Aomori 8 September, she plied the Sea of Japan, assisting occupation landings and destroying military installations on Honshū and Hokkaidō.

Arriving Pearl Harbor 29 November, she joined the "Magic Carpet" fleet and sailed 1 December for the East Coast via San Diego and the Panama Canal, returning veterans of the Pacific War.

After completing this important duty, she proceeded to the Philippine Islands; and on the 18th she departed Subic Bay for the United States via Ceylon, Suez, and Gibraltar, arriving Norfolk 12 December.