Metcalf was laid down by Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, 10 August 1943; launched 25 September 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Harold C. Pound; and commissioned 18 November 1944.

Just in time to join the armada of warships staging there for the Okinawa campaign, Metcalf operated with escort carrier Group 3.

After action off Miri-Lutong, south of Brunei Bay, from 19 to 21 June, she reached Balikpapan on the 27th for operations with Task Force 74 (TF 74) prior to the main landing by Australian troops 1 July.

Metcalf joined Shields, Hart, and Conner in leading Task Unit 78.1.15 (TU 78.1.15) into Jinsen 8 September through the mine-infested Yellow Sea.

In early 1946 Metcalf steamed for the west coast, via Pearl Harbor, arriving San Diego to report in March to the 16th (Inactive Reserve) Fleet.