The ship was laid down by North Carolina Shipbuilding Company in their Cape Fear River yard on 28 May 1941, then launched on 3 February 1942. She was operated by the South Atlantic Steamship Line for the War Shipping Administration. In September 1942 "Greene" was part of the heavily escorted Arctic Convoy PQ 18 when her crew was credited with shooting down seven German aircraft and received the Gallant Ship Citation.