USS Kestrel (AMCU-26) was an LCI(L)-351-class large landing craft of the United States Navy, later converted to an AMCU-7-class Coastal Minesweeper (Underwater Locator).

Following shakedown and training off the Atlantic coast, LCI(L)-874 departed Key West, Florida on 25 November for the Pacific.

Departing on 29 January 1945, she touched Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, and Guam before arriving at Peleliu on 12 April.

She performed picket and patrol duty in the Palau Islands during the remaining months of World War II.

Conversion to AMCU-26 began 24 August 1953 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, and was completed on 1 March 1954.