"Alshain" (AKA-55) was laid down on 29 October 1943 under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 209) at Kearny, New Jersey, by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., launched on 26 January 1944, sponsored by Mrs. J. H. King, acquired by the Navy on 31 March 1944, and placed in commission at Brooklyn, New York, on 1 April 1944, Commander (later Captain) Roland E. Krause in command, succeeded by Comdr. (later Capt.) B.W. Strickland. Other officers on the ship included, Comdr. L.B. Swann, Lt.Comdr. G.R. Kilburn, Lt.Comdr. Mitchell Justice, Lt. Tierney, Lt. Batson, and Lt. Lexey R. Shields.