Exultant was launched on 27 September 1941 by W. A. Robinson Inc., Ipswich, Massachusetts; sponsored by Mrs. A. T. Leavitt Jr.; and placed in service on 14 January 1942 for minesweeping in the 6th Naval District out of Charleston, South Carolina.
On 15 February 1943 she was reclassified YDT-4, and assigned to the 1st Naval District as a diving tender. She continued to perform this duty through 1962.
As the unnamed YDT-4, she was disposed of as a target 1 July 1973.