Larch (YN-16) was laid down 18 October 1940 by Marietta Manufacturing Company, Point Pleasant, West Virginia; launched 2 July 1941; and placed in service 13 December 1941.

After shakedown, Larch was assigned to the 3d Naval District and operated on antisubmarine warfare (ASW) patrol out of New York Harbor.

Playing a small but vital role, she laid, maintained, and removed anti-torpedo and antisubmarine nets in the West Indies throughout World War II.

On 10 January 1945, Larch helped salvage a Pan American Clipper which had crashed in the Gulf of Paria, Venezuela, recovering six bodies and the plane fuselage.

She was struck from the Navy List 5 March 1947, and transferred to Turkey under the Military Assistance Program 10 May 1948.