The Montgomery attacked an enemy submarine contact on 25 June 1944 without evident success. After an escort voyage to Eniwetok and return in June and July, she sailed to Guadalcanal to prepare for the invasion of the Palaus.
Getting underway for assault on 6 September, the Montgomery took station off Peleliu on 12 September to destroy mines swept from the Japanese minefields. On 17 September, she screened transports landing assault troops on Angaur, and two days later sailed for mine destruction and patrol duties at Ulithi until 14 October.
She bombarded Ngulu on 15 October and acted as mother ship for small minelayers during capture of the atoll.
While anchored off Ngulu on 17 October, with her engines secured, the Montgomery spotted a mine floating close to port. The wind swung the ship down onto the mine before she could get underway or destroy it. The resulting explosion flooded both engine rooms and one fireroom, ruptured fuel tanks and killed four of her crew.
Salvage efforts kept her afloat until she could be towed to Ulithi for repairs. Underway under her own power, on 12 January 1945. the Montgomery arrived in San Francisco on 14 February. There it was recommended that she be decommissioned, which she was 23 April 1945 and was sold for scrapping on 11 March 1946.
The Montgomery received four Battle Stars for her service in World War II.
--GreGen
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