USS Sage (AM-111) - Stateside Overhaul

Stateside Overhaul

Escort duty followed these operations and took Sage back to Pearl Harbor, then to San Francisco, California. Arriving on 7 May, she underwent overhaul at Alameda, California; resumed escort duty on 11 June; and, by mid-August, had completed several runs between the Hawaiian and Marshall Islands. The following month, she received more up-to-date radar equipment; and, on 23 September, she departed Hawaii with another westbound convoy. On 3 October, she arrived at Eniwetok; shifted from Task Unit (TU) 31.5.3 to task unit TU 31.5.2; and continued on to the Admiralties to stage for the invasion at Leyte Gulf.

Sage, with others of her division, MinDiv 13, arrived in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, on 9 October. On the 10th, she sortied with task group TG 77.5 and headed northwest. On the 17th, her division left the formation and, despite high winds, frequent squalls, and reduced visibility, commenced sweeping operations at the entrance to Leyte Gulf. At 0207 on the 20th, the minesweepers began maneuvering to avoid the main body of the assault force as it entered the gulf and, soon after 0630, they resumed mine disposal activities. Two hours later, the invasion was in progress and enemy planes became active.