The "Portland" then embarked as the part of admiral Frank J. Fletcher's Task Force 17 to intercept Japanese forces near Midway Atoll. During the ensuing battle there on June 4–7, 1942, "Portland" provided anti-aircraft defense for aircraft carrier , which was struck several times with Japanese torpedoes and sunk. DuBose then commanded rescue operation of surviving "Yorktown" crew members and transported them aboard "Portland" to Pearl Harbor two days later.