Frank Jack Fletcher
Departing Nouméa 31 July 1942, "Gregory" joined Task Force 62 (TF 62) (under Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) and steamed for Guadalcanal. After sending her Marines ashore in the first assault waves 7 August, "Gregory" and her sister APDs remained in the area performing a variety of tasks in one of history's most desperately fought over areas. The versatile ships patrolled the waters around the hotly contested islands, waters which were to gain notoriety as "Iron Bottom Sound", and brought up ammunition &amp; supplies from Espiritu Santo.