sailing by way of Casablanca to Avonmouth, England, arriving 28 June. Du Pont returned to Boston 13 July with Albemarle who was carrying casualties from the Normandy invasion. "Du Pont" was based in Norfolk during September 1944 when she sailed for anti-submarine duties off Cape Hatteras. She was caught in the Great Hurricane of 1944, which resulted in the loss of , and . "Du Pont" survived the hurricane, but was heavily damaged. She limped into Charleston Navy Yard where it was determined that "Du Pont" would be reclassified as an auxiliary, AG-80. Convoys escorted Auxiliary service After overhaul and refresher training, Du Pont put into Charleston Navy Yard 16 September 1944 to undergo conversion to an auxiliary vessel. Reclassified AG-80, 25 September 1944, she sailed from Charleston 9 October and arrived at Key West 2 days later to act as target ship for Fleet Air Wing 5. She rescued two downed aviators 24 November and 2 days later, transferred her doctor to a Norwegian merchantman to render emergency treatment. She continued to serve off Florida aiding aviation training until 1 April 1946 when she arrived at Boston. Du Pont was decommissioned 2 May 1946 and sold 12 March 1947. Awards In addition to the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to TG 21.13, Du Pont received three battle stars for World War II service. References External links NavSource Photos Wickes-class destroyers World War II destroyers of the United States World War II auxiliary ships of the United States Ships built by William Cramp & Sons 1918 ships