The preliminary plans initially called for an LST 280 feet in length; but in January 1942, the Bureau of ships discarded these drawings in favor of specifications for a ship 290 feet long. Within a month, final working plans were developed which further stretched the overall length to 328 feet and called for a 50-foot beam and minimum draft to 3 feet 9 1/2 inches. The LST could carry a 2,100-ton load of tanks and vehicles. The larger dimension also permitted designers to increase the width of the bow door opening and ramp from 12-14 feet and thus accommodate most Allied vehicles. The keel of the first LST was laid down on 10 June 1942 at Newport News, Virginia. The need for LST’s was urgent and the program enjoyed a high priority throughout the war. In some instances, heavy industry plants such as steel fabrication yards were converted for LST construction. This posed a problem of getting the completed ships from the inland building yards to deep water. The chief obstacles were bridges. The Navy successfully undertook the modification of bridges and, through a "Ferry Command" of Navy crews, transported the newly constructed ships to coastal ports for fitting out. Of the 1,051 LST’s built during World War II, 670 were constructed by five major inland builders. By 1943 the construction time for an LST had been reduced to four months. From their combat debut in Solomons in June 1943 until the end of the hostilities in August 1945, the LST performed vital service in World War II. Throughout the war, LST’s demonstrated a remarkable capacity to absorb punishment and survive. The LST’s suffered few losses in proportion to their number and the scope of the operations. Although the LST was considered a valuable target by the enemy, only 26 were lost due to enemy action.

LST-996 was laid down on 27 March 1944 at the Boston Navy Yard; launched on 2 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Ursula A. Hall; and commissioned on 23 May 1944, Ens. C.A. Leach, Jr., USNR, in command.

During World War II, LST-996 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the invasion of southern France in August and September 1944. Transferred to the Asiatic-Pacific theater, she engaged in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in April through June 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 22 April 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 8 May that same year. On 12 October 1947, the ship was sold to the Hugo Steel Products Corp., New York, New York, for scrapping.