McCracken (APA 198) was laid down as a Victory ships under United States Maritime Commission contract by Kaiser Shipbuilding Co., Inc., Vancouver, Washington, 8 June 1944; launched 29 September 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Albert Bauer; acquired by the Navy21 October 1944; and commissioned at Astoria, Oregon, 21 October 1944.

After shakedown and training along the U.S. West Coast, McCracken embarked troops at San Pedro, Los Angeles, and sailed for Pearl Harbor 27 December.

After touching at Ulithi, Caroline Islands, McCracken closed the beaches off Okinawa early 1 April and debarked assault troops shortly after sunrise.

Three days later she sailed westward carrying Navy Seabees and Army Engineers, arriving Buckner Bay, Okinawa, 5 July.

After embarking 737 additional Navy veterans at Nagasaki, she departed for the United States 13 November and reached San Pedro 1 December.