of the garrison on Samoa, but before Shafroth could embarked with his command for South Pacific, he was replaced with experienced Rear admiral Frank J. Fletcher in early January 1942. Shafroth was then appointed Commander, Southeast Pacific Area with headquarters in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. The old cruisers Richmond and Trenton were meanwhile replaced with newer ships and transferred to Shafroth's command to his disposal. Shafroth also received third cruiser Cruiser, and several additional destroyers and auxiliary vessels at his disposal. His area of responsibility was drawn from the Mexico-Guatemala border to the mid-Pacific near Clipperton Island and then southward to the South Pole. Although his area of responsibility was huge and force assigned to his command tiny, it proved to be more than sufficient due to lack of Japanese activity. Shafroth then focused on the escort convoy duty and helped transport 4,500 men to Bora Bora in French Polynesia, and another 20,000 troops to New Caledonia and Kanton Island. In December 1942, Shafroth was ordered to Hawaii and was attached to the headquarters of the Pacific Fleet under his old superior, now four-star Admiral Chester Nimitz, who appointed Shafroth to the capacity of Deputy Commander, South Pacific Area under Vice admiral William F. Halsey. While in this capacity, he was co-responsible for the administration of several subordinated commands, including South Pacific Amphibious Force; South Pacific Naval Forces; South Pacific Island Bases; South Pacific Aircraft command and South Pacific Service Squadron. Shafroth remained in this capacity until March 1944, when he was appointed Inspector General, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean areas under Nimitz. This non-combat duty lasted until December 1944, when he was informed about his new assignment in combat area. While in this capacity, he served as a President of the Naval Board of Inquiry for West Loch disaster in May 1944. For his service with Southeast Pacific Force; South Pacific Area and as Inspector General, Pacific Fleet, he was decorated with Legion of Merit. Philippines, Okinawa and Japan On December 26, 1944, Shafroth was appointed Commander, Battleship Division 8 (BatDiv 8), built around fast battleships Massachusetts and Alabama. His battleships then operated with the aircraft carriers of Fast Carrier Task Force under Vice admiral Marc Mitscher, which made a series of raids on Formosa and Okinawa, to support the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in the northern Philippines. Shafroth's Division was reorganized by the end of January 1945 and