[1] She was laid down on 3 September 1940 by the Philadelphia Navy Yard; launched on 6 June 1941; sponsored by Mrs. Ralph A. Bard; and commissioned on 15 July 1942.
Rain squalls, strong winds, and heavy seas forced the convoy to alter its course, but its goal remained the same — the support and reinforcement of Operation Torch.
At dawn on 14 November, Terror parted company with the convoy and, escorted by a single destroyer, made her way at 20 knots (37 km/h) to the newly taken port of Casablanca.
After correcting this problem, Terror got underway in company with two minesweepers and, in short order, began laying the minefield which would protect the ships in the harbor.
When completed, shortly before dark the same day, the minefield provided Allied shipping a protected channel entrance to Casablanca, stretching seven miles (11 km) out from El Hank Light, a formidable barrier for any marauding enemy submarine to penetrate.
In the months that followed, Terror operated out of Yorktown, making frequent voyages to the Chesapeake Bay for exercises and occasionally stopping at Norfolk for repairs or overhaul.
Meanwhile, members of Terror's crew, when not attending classes ashore, participated in drills, training, and exercises in gunnery, mine warfare, and damage control.
During the nearly three weeks she remained at Funafuti, Terror supported the many small craft which surveyed and mined the approaches to the atoll, supplying them with provisions, water, repairs, and medical services.
At night, searchlights from shore combed the dark, spotting enemy planes in an attempt to foil the persistent Japanese raiders.
She delivered mines and heavy equipment to units at Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal before arriving at Makin Island on 18 January 1944.
On 25 November, she entered the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor for repairs and alterations to accommodate the staff of Commander, Minecraft Pacific Fleet.
Terror closed the shore to 10,000 yards (9,100 m) and, for 20 minutes, added her five-inch (127 mm) gunfire to the bombardment in an attempt to aid the small craft.
Her entire complement labored long hours to maintain the supply of water, oil, gear, and ammunition required by minecraft in the area.
Predicted mass air attacks materialized on 6 April when Japanese planes pounded the harbor at Kerama Retto for four hours, coming in on Terror from all quarters and keeping her gunners busy.
The tender joined other ships in downing two Japanese planes and furnished rescue boats, clothing, and treatment for the survivors of LST-447 and SS Logan Victory.
Throughout April, Terror remained at Kerama Retto providing logistic services and receiving casualties from ships hit by kamikazes.
Combat air patrols kept raiders outside the harbor most of the time; but, on 28 April, Pinkney (APH-2) — anchored nearby — was hit by a suicide plane.
During the long and arduous month of April, Terror's crew went to general quarters 93 times, for periods ranging from seven minutes to six and one-half hours.
Since a survey of the vessel revealed that her damage was too great to be repaired in a forward area, Terror steamed via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor to the west coast.
Her repairs completed, she departed San Francisco Bay on 15 August - the day of the surrender of Japan - and steamed for Korea via the Hawaiian Islands, Saipan, and Okinawa.
On 9 October, while still at Okinawa, she emerged undamaged from another typhoon which beached or wrecked over 100 vessels at Buckner Bay and Unten Ko.