 Named for counties in Kansas and Missouri established in honor of David Rice Atchison, a mid-19th century Democratic United States Senator from Missouri, she was the only U.S.Naval vessel to bear the name.LST-60 was laid down on 14 November 1943 at Neville Island, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the Dravo Corporation; launched on 24 December; sponsored by Mrs. Daniel W. Mack; and placed in reduced commission on 24 January 1944 so that she might descend the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers under her own power to New Orleans where she was placed in full commission on 7 February with Lieutenant Carl E. Ellis in command.