Her keel was laid down as Opie Read (MC hull 1929) in 1943 by Delta Shipbuilding Company, in New Orleans, Louisiana (T. Z.ET1.S.C3).

Panda joined the logistics forces of the Seventh Fleet in the Southwest Pacific in March 1944, and served as floating oil storage facility, primarily at Hollandia, New Guinea, until October, when she followed the invasion forces to San Pedro Bay, Leyte.

During the next three months, her gunners shot down five enemy planes during four separate attacks, none of which put her out of action.

Panda remained in the Philippines to serve occupation forces until sailing for Norfolk, Virginia, arriving 5 June 1946.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.