An amphibious force flagship, Poconos keel was laid down on 30 November 1944 and the vessel was launched on 25 January 1945 by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company, of Wilmington, North Carolina, sponsored by Miss Mary V. Carmines of Messick. The ship was acquired by the Navy on 15 February 1945, towed to Boston for fitting out and commissioned on 29 December 1945.
