USS Defense ( AM - 317 ) USS " Defense " ( AM - 317 ) was an acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing . Construction history . " Defense " was launched on 18 February 1943 at General Engineering and Dry Dock Company in Alameda , California , sponsored by Mrs . A . Duncanfield , and commissioned on 10 January 1944 , with Lieutenant Commander G . Abbott , USNR , in command . She was reclassified MSF - 317 on 7 February 1955 . World War II service . Convoy duty . Sailing from San Francisco , California , on 24 March 1944 , " Defense " escorted a convoy to Majuro , then swept mines and had escort duty off Tarawa , Gilbert Islands , from 9 to 19 April . She returned to Pearl Harbor on 30 April , and between 8 May and 9 July escorted two convoys , one to Majuro and one to Eniwetok . After conducting experimental minesweeping exercises at Pearl Harbor until 22 July , she got underway for San Francisco , arriving there on 30 July . From August through December 1944 , " Defense " provided a variety of services for ships in shakedown off San Diego , California , and joined in exercises in the Hawaiian Islands . Iwo Jima and Okinawa operations . Sailing from Pearl Harbor on 27 January 1945 , " Defense " arrived off Iwo Jima on 16 February as the pre - invasion bombardment of the island began . She patrolled in the antisubmarine screen until late on 19 February , day of the landings , when she cleared to escort unladen transports to Saipan . From 1 to 7 March , she again patrolled off Iwo Jima , and on 10 March arrived at Ulithi , staging point for the invasion of Okinawa . Nine days later , she was underway for minesweeping operations out of Kerama Retto in preparation for the invasion landings on Okinawa scheduled for 1 April . During the massive suicide plane attack 6 days after the initial landings , " Defense " took a group of four attackers under fire . She splashed one , drove one off , and was struck by the other two after they had been heavily damaged by her antiaircraft fire . Despite her own damage , she went to the aid of two other stricken ships , rescuing 60 men from the destroyer and towing crippled to Kerama Retto . End - of - war activity . After temporary repairs had been completed on 11 April 1945 , " Defense " sailed for Seattle , Washington via Pearl Harbor . She arrived at the Naval Ammunition Depot , Indian Island , Washington on 26 May 1945 and spent the better part of the next three months in dry dock . On Monday , 3 September 1945 she sailed for the $ 3 for occupation duty at Okinawa , Guam , and various Japanese ports . She served in Japan until 6 March 1946 , when she cleared Kobe for San Diego , California , arriving there on 21 April . " Defense " was placed out of commission in reserve there on 31 May 1946 . Korean War service . Recommissioned on 16 February 1952 at Long Beach , California because of the Korean War , " Defense " sailed for Yokosuka on 7 July , arriving there on 16 August . Operating in Korean waters in support of United Nations forces , she cleared the waters at Inchon and in the Wonsan - Chongjin - Songjin area of mines until 8 January 1953 , when she left Yokosuka heading for Long Beach , where she arrived on 6 February . Along with another tour of duty in the Far East from 6 October 1953 to 2 June 1954 , " Defense " operated along the coast of Southern California until again placed out of commission in reserve on 16 April 1956 . Mexican Navy service . On 3 January 1973 , the former " Defense " was sold to the Mexican Navy where she was named ARM " Manuel Doblado " ( C73 ) . Her pennant number was later changed to G05 , before being changed a final time to P104 in 1993 . , " Manuel Doblado " was in active service with the Mexican Navy . Awards . Defense received two battle stars for World War II service and two for the Korean War .