towards Japan and, on 25 February, launched air strikes against targets in the Tokyo Bay area before returning to Ulithi on 1 March. The task group was at sea again on 14 March and, four days later, launched attacks against airfields on Kyūshū and against Japanese shipping at Kobe and Kure. The strikes continued the next day. The destroyer rescued a downed pilot on 18 March and saved another on 19 March. The task group was under enemy air attack both days. As the forces withdrew, they were under constant air attack. was hit on 19 March and on the next day. Stephen Potter was in the screen that escorted the carriers back to Ulithi. The destroyer was at sea again on 5 April with TG 58.2, in an area east of Okinawa. Strikes were flown against that island stronghold until 13 May when air raids were launched against Kyūshū. On 11 May, she picked up 107 survivors from which had been hit by a kamikaze. Strikes were launched against Okinawa again from 22 to 28 May, and the group then sailed for Leyte. Stephen Potter then sailed for the United States, via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor, arriving at San Francisco on 9 July. She underwent overhaul at the Mare Island Navy Yard until 31 August. The war was over, and the destroyer was destined to be placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. After preparations were completed for placing her in "mothballs," Stephen Potter was placed out of commission, in reserve, on 21 September 1945 and berthed at Long Beach. 1951–1958 On 29 March 1951, Stephen Potter was placed back in commission and, after a brief shakedown cruise, sailed on 23 June for the East Coast of the United States and duty with the Atlantic Fleet. She arrived at Newport on 11 July and operated with the Atlantic Fleet until 1 April 1953 when she again sailed to the Pacific. Stephen Potter joined the United Nations fleet off the east coast of Korea and operated there until the cessation of hostilities. After returning to the United States, the destroyer entered the Boston Naval Shipyard and had extensive repairs and alterations performed. On 28 March 1954, she sailed for Guantanamo Bay and refresher training. On 5 January 1955, she sailed for western Europe and made good will visits to Belgium, Germany, and Norway before arriving back in Newport on 26 May