PC-817 was laid down at Portland, Oregon, by the Albina Engine & Machinery Works on 8 January 1943; launched on 4 March 1943; sponsored by Mrs. H. O. McAlpine; and commissioned on 13 July 1943.

After shakedown training out of San Pedro between 18 August and 30 September, the patrol craft was assigned to the Western Sea Frontier.

She served along the California coast—escorting coastwise convoys and conducting antisubmarine patrols—until 1 December when she arrived at the Naval Station, Seattle, Washington, for repairs incident to her imminent transfer to the Alaska Sea Frontier.

For the next 11 months, PC-817 steamed between the sundry American bases along the Aleutians chain, escorting supply convoys, transporting passengers and mail, and conducting surveys.

On 18 April, the patrol vessel took leave of Puget Sound and headed—via San Francisco, California—to her last wartime assignment—the Hawaiian Islands.

She remained at Jacksonville until April 1946 when she moved north to Charleston, South Carolina, for disposal by the Commandant, 6th Naval District.