 Kunyange zvazvo akanga apotsa kusvetuka kwokutanga kwechikepe chinokwakuka chinopfuura nepakati pePacific, Stevens akabatanazve ne5th Fleet nenguva kuti ave rutivi rwokusvetuka kwechipiri. Yakabatanidzwa neTask Group 52.8 TG 52.8, boka rekutsigira moto, muparadzi akapinda muOperation Flintlock, chikamu cheKwajaleinKukundwa kweMarshall Islands, mukupera kwaJanuary uye kutanga kwaFebruary 1944. Yakabhomba zvitsuwa zvisati zvasvika uye pashure pacho yakaendesa pfuti dzokutsigira kumaMarine kusvikira zvanga zvisingachadiwi. 