January 1 - 10, 1945

January 1945 saw the DEFENSE and many of her fellow minesweepers on maneuvers in the Pacific waters off the coast of the Territory of Hawaii. The deck log transcription for the first ten days of the month follow. The Captain of the Defense was Lt. Cmdr. Gordon Abbot.

Monday, January 1, 1945.

• Anchored in Berth 122 Nan, Lahaina Roads, Territory of Hawaii.
• 0548 — Underway in company with MinDiv 10, less Chief and Competent, pursuant to CominDiv 10 orders for operations in accordance with CominPac confidential operation order no. 1-44, serial: 01 of 25 December 1944.
• 0855 — held general quarters for antiaircraft gunnery exercises.
• 1035 — secured #1 main engine for repairs.
• 1235 — commenced formation maneuvering on various courses and speeds in company with MinDiv 10.
• 1420 — assumed formation 18, 500 yards astern of USS CHAMPION (AM314) on various courses and speeds.
• 1556 — Anchored in Lahaina Roads, T.H.

Tuesday, January 2, 1945

• 0420 — Underway pursuant to CTG 18.1 confidential operation order 04-44, dated 22 December 1944, in company with MinDiv 10 less USS CHIEF and USS COMPETENT. Captain at the conn, navigator on the bridge. In formation 18, 500 yards astern of CHAMPION.
• 0735 — all hands to general quarters for surface practice firing in area CHARLIE SIX.
• 0907 — commenced firing surface target practice at towed target.
• 0951 — ceased firing exercises.
• 1023 — resumed column formation with CHAMPION as guide.
• 1231 — floating drill mine sighted on starboard bow, distance 1000 yards.
• 1242 — at various courses, speed 10 knots, maneuvering around mine.
• 1252 — destroyed mine by gunfire.
• 1608 — assumed position #2 in antisubmarine screen #53 (USF 10 (A)) escorting USS CHAMPION.
• 1630 — commenced zig zag plan #6.
• 1640 — ceased zig zaging.
• 1700 — assumed position #3 in antisubmarine screen #53.
• 1701 — ceased screening, ordered to form 18 — 500 yards astern of USS CHAMPION.
• 1750 — Ordered by DivMin 10 to fall out of formation and return to anchorage.

January 3, 1945

• 0828 — Underway pursuant to C.T.G 18.1 confidential operation order $4-44, dated 22 December 1944, in company with MinDiv 10 less USS CHIEF and USS COMPETENT.
• 0957 — Exercised crew at fire drill.
• 1004 — secured from fire drill. Handy billies tested.
• 1030 — Exercised at passing mail with USS CHAMPION.
• 1118 — Secured form passing mail exercise. Commenced streaming starboard "O" type sweep gear.
• 1121 — commenced recover of sweep gear for adjustments.
• 1245 — Port and starboard "O" type gear streamed at 150 fathoms.
• 1435 — USS DEVASTATOR came along side to transfer mail from CominDiv 10.
• 1445 — formed column with USS CHAMPION as guide.
• 1448 — commenced screening exercises.
• 1535 — Ceased screening exercises.
• 1604 — Anchored in berth OBOE 122, Lahaina Roads, T.H.

January 4

• 0806 — Hamilton, E.N., MoMM 3/c left ship for shore patrol duty in Lahaina, T.H.
• 0900 — Captain held mast on Larson, V.J. RdM 3/c, reduced in rating to S 2/c.
• 2330 — Made all preparations for getting underway.
• 2355 — underway pursuant to verbal orders CoMinDiv 10, proceeding to Pearl Harbor, T.H. in company with MinDiv 10, less USS CHIEF and USS COMPETENT.

January 5

• Underway on all engines in company with MinDiv 10 less USS CHIEF and USS COMPETENT, CominDiv 10 in USS CHAMPION, proceeding to Pearl Harbor.
• 0855 — Hove to to await channel entry.
• 1056 — made all preparations for entering port on various courses and speeds.
• 1058 — Buoy 2, Pearl Harbor, swept channel abeam to starboard.
• 1114 — net vessel abeam to port.
• 1132 — Moored starboard side to USS REVENGE (AM-110), Berth C-3, DE Docks, Pearl Harbor.
• 1235 — Snyder, R.R., ChMoMM, was placed on was placed on binnacle list; diagnosis D.U. Erysipelas.
• 1750- Lt. (jg) Hollie J. Loe, D-V(S), USNR, reported aboard for duty pursuant to BuPers Order 373702 Pers 31371-ESK-6D, dated 12 December 1944.

January 6

• 0805 — held quarters for muster, no absentees. Published Articles for the Government of the Navy.
• 1455 — Fleming, J.I. SoM 2/c reported aboard for duty along with bag, hammock, transfer papers, records, and accounts.

January 7

• Moored starboard side to USS REVENGE (AM-110) at Berth C-3, D.E. Docks, Pearl Harbor.
• 1100 — Wadell, USN, Pay Clerk from Small Craft Disbursing Office Pearl Harbor, came aboard and paid crew.

January 8

• 1330 — Collins, Ira Vernon, W.T. 1/c USN was transferred to receiving station, Navy 128. Prince, Henry Ralph S 1/c, USN, was transferred to receiving station, Navy 128.

January 9 (Tuesday)

• 1042 — Pride, E.W., F 1/c, USNI reported aboard for duty with bag, hammock, records, and transfer papers.

• 1216 — USS REVENGE got underway from along starboard side.

January 10

• 1230 — Underway on all engines pursuant to visual dispatch from Captain of the yard, Navy yard Pearl Harbor, maneuvering at various courses and speeds through harbor.
• 1300 — Moored alongside USS REVENGE at berth B23.
• 1530 — Propps, W.L. Jr., Cox, USNR reported aboard for duty.