She was ordered on 16 February 1942, laid down at Daytona Beach, Florida on 26 March 1942 by Daytona Beach Boat Works Inc. and launched on 6 August 1942.[2] On 25 November 1942 she was commissioned as USS PC-696. In April, she was re-designated as USS SC-696. On 23 August 1943, off Palermo, Italy, SC-696 and USSSC-694[3] came under attack by Junkers Ju 88 dive bombers. Both were sunk. 18 men were killed aboard the 696.[4]