 USS "Coffman" was named in honor of DeWitt Coffman, veteran of the Spanish–American War who was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal during World War I.The ship was launched on 28 November 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newark, New Jersey; sponsored by Miss F. Liggett; and commissioned on 27 December 1943, Lieutenant Commander W. H. Putnam, USNR, in command.After one convoy escort voyage to Bizerte, Tunisia between 12 April and 3 May 1944, "Coffman" served between 10 June and 10 July as a target for submarines in training.