USS Ricketts (DE-254) - Transfer To The Pacific Fleet

Transfer To The Pacific Fleet

Ricketts sailed from New York 19 June 1945 with the remainder of Escort Division 20 for the Pacific. After exercises in Chesapeake Bay and refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, she transited the Panama Canal 7 July. She called at San Diego, California, for a 5-day visit and departed 20 July, steaming independently for Pearl Harbor and arriving 1 week later. A month of intensive training in Hawaiian waters followed. She sailed for Eniwetok 27 August in company with nine other ocean escorts, arriving there 3 September.

Ordered to accept the surrender and to help establish the occupation of isolated Japanese garrisons, Ricketts got underway for Kusaie, the Carolines, one week later to assist in the disarming of the Japanese on that bypassed island, and to set up a military government. Further duty included the repatriation of natives of Ponape and Kusaie to their home islands.

Returning to Eniwetok 14 October, Ricketts remained on patrol there until 3 November, when she departed for Pearl Harbor. Following training at Pearl Harbor 9–24 November, she continued on to San Diego, California, arriving there the last day of the month. She next cleared port 2 December 1945, took on passengers at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, and arrived at the Brooklyn Navy Yard 16 December. Departing New York Harbor 21 January 1946, she reported for inactivation at Green Cove Springs, Florida.