Operation Hailstone
Holden led "New Jersey" during the Operation Hailstone on February 17–18, 1944; a two-day surface and air strike conducted by Fleet's task force against the major Japanese fleet base on Truk in the Carolines. During the assault, "New Jersey" destroyed a Japanese trawler and, with other ships, sank the destroyer and also participated in the anti-aircraft cover for her formation.