1944
On 7 June 1944, the Gridley sailed with the the USS Hornet Task Force 7 to take part in the invasion of the Marianas, where the attacks were made on Saipan, Rota and Guam. In all these engagements the Gridley and other destroyers protected the U.S. carriers from Japanese air and submarine attack.
The Gridley was also at the pivotal Battle of the Philippine Sea 19-20 June 1944, when four waves of Japanese torpedo bombers and escort fighters were decimated by fleet air and surface units. Gridley's anti-aircraft fire and protected the carriers. As a result of this battle, Japanese air strength virtually ceased to exist.
The ship departed Eniwetok Atoll 30 June 1940 bound with the carriers for strikes on Iwo Jima, Guam, Yap, Ulithi, and the Volcano Islands. She directly supported the American landings on Peleliu 15 September 1944, shooting down at least one Japanese plane.
--GreGen
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