Slated for return to the western Pacific, "Hydrus" sailed 7 August for Ulithi and Okinawa. During this passage she received word of the war's end, and arrived at Okinawa to unload her cargo 3 September. Except for 16–18 September, when she got underway to ride out the great typhoon, "Hydrus" remained at anchor off Okinawa until 25 September. She then sailed to Manus to embark units of a Marine Air Group for the occupation of the Chinese mainland. The transport arrived at Tsingtao 17 October to put ashore her cargo and passengers, thus helping to speed the occupation and help stabilize the explosive internal situation in China. She subsequently embarked additional troops in the Philippines and carried them to Taku, China, 14 November.