Maquoketa was laid down 14 January 1944 by Cargill, Inc., Savage, Minnesota; launched 12 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Henry E. Benson; and commissioned at New Orleans, Louisiana, 27 February 1945.

After operating for 14 months in support of the occupation forces, Maquoketa steamed from Yokosuka 11 November 1946 for the United States, anchoring in San Francisco Bay 4 December.

Reactivated, she was assigned to Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) 1 March 1952, and operated under contract with a civilian crew until 18 May 1954, when she was again placed in reserve.

A second tour of civilian-operated service with MSTS began on 24 April 1956 and continued until 16 October 1956, when she was delivered to the Maritime Administration Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, California.

Her crew was eligible for the following medals: This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.