escort and screening assignments during the Gilbert landings, and strikes against Kwajalein and Wotje atolls. Brief repairs at San Francisco followed, after which she returned to the South Pacific. Later actions On 1 February 1944, she took part in the preinvasion bombardment of Roi, part of the Kwajalein complex, in April she shelled Aitape, and on 2 July supported the landings on Noemfoor, off New Guinea. Constant patrol and escort duties were performed between these actions. Assigned to escort convoys during the first assaults on the Philippines, La Vallette had already left Leyte Gulf with a convoy to replenish her stores at Hollandia before the Battle of Leyte Gulf, returning to the Philippines by 5 December. She covered five more landings in the Philippines during December and January 1945, then joined the screen for minesweepers clearing Manila Bay. On 14 February in Mariveles Bay. La Vallette was badly damaged by a mine, leaving six dead and 23 wounded, she was towed to drydock at Subic Bay, then sailed for Hunters Point Navy Yard where she was fully repaired. On 7 August she sailed for San Diego, California, decommissioned 16 April 1946 and entered the Reserve Fleet, where she remained until 1969. In 1974 she was sold to Peru, cannibalized for spare parts for the other Fletcher Class destroyers of the Peruvian Navy and her hull sold for scrap. Honors La Vallette received 10 battle stars for World War II service. References External links USS La Vallette website at Destroyer History Foundation A Sailor's Diary: Artwork, diaries, and letters from a sailor aboard USS La Vallette Fletcher-class destroyers of the United States Navy Ships built in Kearny, New Jersey 1942 ships World War II destroyers of the United States Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Peruvian Navy