Kalamazoo was laid down 7 July 1944 by East Coast Shipyards, Inc., Bayonne, New Jersey, under a Maritime Commission contract; launched 30 August 1944; sponsored by Harriett Savage; acquired by the Navy 7 October; and commissioned 14 October at New York Navy Yard.

Following shakedown in the Caribbean, Kalamazoo cleared Norfolk, Virginia, 7 December for Aruba, Dutch West Indies, to load fuel oil.

After fueling operations in the Solomons, Admiralties, and Humboldt Bay, New Guinea, she arrived Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, 4 March 1945 as a unit of the Service Force, U.S. 7th Fleet.

Departing Zamboanga, Mindanao, 1 December, Kalamazoo steamed via Manila to Subic Bay, Luzon, where she remained until sailing for the United States 11 January 1946.

Under tow from rescue tug ATR-85, she departed Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone, 26 April for Mobile, Alabama, where she arrived 3 May.