She was launched 31 October 1943 as William H. Carruth by California Shipbuilding Corporation, in Wilmington, California, under a Maritime Commission contract sponsored by Mrs. J. Low, was acquired by the Navy 22 November 1943, and commissioned the same day.Camel sailed from San Pedro, California, on 1 January 1944, for Tarawa, where she arrived 24 January to deliver aviation gasoline for use in the aerial reconnaissance missions then flown from that island.
The ship, named Camel, was launched on October 31, 1943, by California Shipbuilding Corporation in Wilmington, California, under a Maritime Commission contract sponsored by Mrs. J. Low. It was acquired by the Navy on November 22, 1943, and commissioned the same day. On January 1, 1944, Camel departed from San Pedro, California, for Tarawa, where she arrived on January 24th to deliver aviation gasoline for use in aerial reconnaissance missions conducted from that island.