Rocky Mount was laid down for the Maritime Commission on 4 December 1942 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey; launched 7 March 1943; sponsored by Mrs Elsie F. Lee, wife of Robert C. Lee of the Moore-McCormack Lines for whom the ship was being built; acquired by the Navy 13 March 1943; and after conversion by Bethlehem Steel Co., Hoboken, N.J., commissioned 15 October 1943.

Rocky Mount was the 3rd of a new type of naval auxiliary: a specially-equipped command and communications ship, which had been improvised for Admiral H. Kent Hewitt in the Salerno operation.

On 15 September she departed for Manus, and 1 month later sortied for the assault on Leyte, Philippine Islands, as flagship of the Amphibious Force Fleet.

Rocky Mount returned to the Philippines to participate in the Lingayen Gulf operation as flagship of Attack Group "Baker", 6 January 1945.

While anchored in Subic Bay, Rocky Mount welcomed Brigadier Lindley Barham, Australian Army (AA), 4 April, and departed for Morotai where all hands attended memorial services for the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Maj. Gen. George Wootten, AA, came on board at Morotai on 3 May, and the ship began its second part of the Borneo Campaign - the assault from Brunei Bay.

She embarked part of his staff at Manila 1 September, and then sailed for Jinsen, Korea, where, on the 10th, Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid came on board and broke his flag.

For her service during World War II, Rocky Mount earned six battle stars, and the Navy Unit Commendation.