Rendova Island
On 24 May "Preble" rescued 85 survivors from torpedoed SS "Stanvac Manila". On the night of 28 June "Breese", "Gamble", and "Preble" mined the waters near Shortland Island to prevent units of the Japanese fleet based there from interfering with landing operations on Rendova Island in the New Georgia Group, which were to be carried out at dawn. During July and August "Preble" again served as an escort vessel. On 9 September she departed Nouméa for San Francisco.