Personnel during the height of the War Mobilization Period and received Navy Commendation Medal for his service at the Bureau of Personnel. In April 1944, Cooley was ordered back to South Pacific and assumed command of battleship USS Washington, a part of Battleship Division 6 (CruDiv6) under Vice admiral Willis Augustus Lee. He led Washington during the Mariana Islands campaign in June–August 1944 and participated in the capture of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. The Washington then conducted the preliminary raids softening Luzon, preceding its capture, and took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, where CruDiv6 (including Washington) went north and prevented the northern Japanese Force from joining the other Japanese ships in the Battle of Surigao Strait. Cooley was promoted to the temporary rank of Rear admiral in November 1944 and relieved admiral Lee in command of Battleship Division 6 (CruDiv6). His command consisted of his previous command, Washington and North Carolina, and he subsequently led his division to Ulithi for repairs and loading of ammunition. Cooley's division returned to the combat zone in late December 1944 and then took part in the support of the landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa in early 1945. For his service in South Pacific, Cooley received Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and second Navy Commendation Medal. Postwar career Following the surrender of Japan, Cooley took part in the ceremony aboard battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. He then returned to the United States for duty as Commander Cruisers and Battleship, Atlantic Fleet and later assumed duty as Commander-in-Chief, United States Fourth Fleet, which was responsible for the transportation of troops returning stateside from European battlefield. His command later served as a Reserve Fleet and Cooley was responsible for the Reserve Training Program in support of National Emergency Plan. He was placed in command of a task unit and made Commander of the Midshipmen's Practice Squadron, before he was appointed Commander of Naval Station Newport, a home to the Naval War College and the Naval Justice School in January 1947. While in this capacity, he served as acting President of the Naval War College following the retirement of Vice admiral Donald B. Beary. In October 1950, he was ordered to Treasure Island, San Francisco, California for duty as Deputy Commander Western Sea Frontier and Deputy Commander Pacific Reserve Fleet under Vice admiral John L. Hall Jr. and remained