The ship was laid down on 11 November 1944 by North Carolina Shipbuilding Co., Wilmington, N.C.; launched on 6 January 1945, sponsored by Mrs. A. E. DeMaray; and commissioned on 21 July 1945 at Jacksonville, Florida.

In December 1964 Mount Katmai commenced an extensive overhaul period, including installation of increased communications capabilities and a helicopter deck for vertical replenishment.

Within a few days, she was underway for rearming operations in the South China Sea, servicing the carrier strike groups and combatant ships off Vietnam.

Entering Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard on 17 January 1966 for overhaul, the ship returned to an operational status with Service Force Pacific Fleet on 21 March.

After a three-month overhaul period and type training, she left San Francisco on 31 August and arrived back at Subic Bay on 24 September.

Turned over to Maritime Administration (MARAD) she was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet until sold for scrapping on 5 April 1974, to Nicolai Joffe Corp., for $243,210.