USS LeHardy ( DE - 20 ) USS " LeHardy " ( DE - 20 ) was an constructed for the United States Navy during World War II . It was promptly sent off into the Pacific Ocean to protect convoys and other ships from Japanese submarines and fighter aircraft . At the end of the war , she had to honor of proceeding to Wake Island , as the Japanese commander surrendered , and raising a flagpole to fly the American flag once again . She was laid down as HMS " Duff " ( BDE - 20 ) for the Royal Navy on 15 April 1942 by Mare Island Navy Yard ; launched on 21 November 1942 ; sponsored by Mrs . Bert A . Barr ; retained for use in the U . S . Navy and renamed " LeHardy " on 19 February 1943 ; and commissioned on 15 May 1943 , Lt . Comdr . J . H . Prause in command . World War II Pacific Theatre operations . After shakedown , " LeHardy " was assigned to the " pineapple run " , escorting convoys from the United States west coast to Pearl Harbor . She sailed on her first cruise to Hawaii on 21 July and made two additional runs with convoys before being ordered to remain at Hawaii in late October . Following training exercises , " LeHardy " departed Pearl Harbor on 15 November as ASW screen with a convoy en route to Tarawa . Upon arrival there 10 days later , the destroyer escort continued patrol and screening operations with the 5th Fleet in the vicinity of the Gilbert Islands . " LeHardy " remained off the Gilberts as the U . S . Marines ashore secured the islands , from which the Marshalls operation would be launched . Departing Makin on 25 December , she steamed back to Hawaii for pre - invasion training in preparation for her next assignment . Sailing from Pearl Harbor again on 28 January 1944 , " LeHardy " formed part of the escort and ASW screen for a convoy to the Marshall Islands landings . She arrived off Kwajalein on 5 February , the day the atoll was secured , then escorted the cargo ships to Funafuti , Ellice Islands . She returned to the Marshalls in mid - February for patrols and screening duties during the capture of Eniwetok , before sailing for Pearl Harbor on 4 March . Upon her arrival on the 11th , the destroyer escort was assigned to training exercises with fleet submarines . " LeHardy " continued these operations until she departed Pearl Harbor late in May for ASW operations in the Marshalls . Throughout the summer , she alternated between ASW duties in the western Pacific and training exercises out of Hawaii . Surrender of the Japanese garrison at Wake Island . From 22 October 1944 until 22 January 1945 , " LeHardy " escorted tanker convoys from Eniwetok to Ulithi , then sailed for a Seattle , Washington , overhaul . The destroyer escort returned Eniwetok on 28 May to resume her Eniwetok - Ulithi convoy runs , her task for the rest of the war . On 2 September , " LeHardy " departed Kwajalein to take part in the surrender ceremonies on Wake Island . Arriving there on 4 September , " LeHardy " stood by as the Japanese admiral surrendered the island . A detail from the ship went ashore and raised the pole which once again flew the American flag over Wake Island . End - of - War deactivation . After touching Kwajalein and Pearl Harbor , she proceeded to San Pedro , California , arriving on 27 September . " LeHardy " decommissioned there on 25 October 1945 and was sold 26 December 1946 to National Metal and Steel Corp . , Terminal Island , California .