Libra (AK-53) was laid down as Jean Lykes by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, N.J., under contract for Lykes Brothers Steamship Company, Galveston, Texas; launched 12 November 1941; sponsored by Lindy Boggs, wife of Congressman Hale Boggs of Louisiana; acquired by the Navy on 30 December 1941; named Libra on 9 January 1942; and commissioned on 13 May 1942.
The ship Libra (AK-53) was built by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearny, New Jersey for Lykes Brothers Steamship Company of Galveston, Texas. It was launched on November 12, 1941, sponsored by Lindy Boggs, wife of Congressman Hale Boggs of Louisiana. The ship was acquired by the Navy on December 30, 1941 and renamed Libra on January 9, 1942.  It was commissioned on May 13, 1942.