The contract for Keokuk was awarded 18 January 1963. She was laid down on 5 December 1963 at Mobile, Alabama, by Mobile Ship Repair and launched 21 May 1964. Placed in service 4 September 1964, Chief Boatswain's Mate Jerry R. Richter in command.
Keokuk served in the Norfolk, Virginia, area as a tug and was in active service at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. On August 29th 2023 Keokuk was stricken from the naval registrey and disposed of by the General Service Administration.