World War II Departing
San Diego, California, 7 December 1943,
Chief joined in exercises in
Hawaiian waters until 22 January 1944 when she sailed for
Kwajalein. She swept the harbor and joined the
antisubmarine patrol until 14 February, when she returned to
Pearl Harbor for repairs. Except for a
convoy escort voyage to
Eniwetok (21 March-15 April), she remained at Pearl Harbor until 29 May. Joining
Task Force TF 52 at Eniwetok,
Chief sortied 12 June 1944 for the
Marianas operation. Between 15 June and 7 August, she cleared mines for the invasions of
Saipan and
Tinian, and gave fire support to troops ashore, then had local duty at Saipan. Departing 9 September she escorted cargo ship
De Grasse (AP-164) to Pearl Harbor, then continued to
San Francisco, California for overhaul. Returning to Pearl Harbor on 2 January 1945,
Chief voyaged to Eniwetok on convoy escort duty, then conducted exercises in Hawaiian waters until clearing for
Ulithi, where she arrived 4 March. After receiving new equipment, she sailed for
Okinawa on 15 May. From 26 May to 21 August she acted as
flagship for the group conducting hydrographic survey of
Unten Ko, and developing it as a minecraft
typhoon anchorage. On 8 September
Chief put out for
Wakayama, Japan, where until 6 October she swept minefields in preparation for the arrival of occupation forces. She also assisted in the salvage of
YMS-418 on 28 September.
Chief remained on occupation duty at
Nagoya and
Sasebo, Japan, until 10 March 1946 when she steamed for San Francisco, California, arriving 19 April. She was placed out of commission in reserve 17 March 1947, berthed at
San Pedro, California.
Korea Recommissioned 28 February 1952 at
Long Beach, Chief conducted training exercises off San Diego, California, until 7 July when she sailed for Sasebo, Japan, arriving 3 August. She operated with Task Force TF 95 around mine-infested
Wonsan Harbor and was twice fired on by enemy shore batteries. She returned to
Long Beach, California 5 February 1953 for local operations and training. Her second
Korean tour from 5 October 1953 to 2 June 1954 found her patrolling with Task Force TF 95 off both coasts of Korea to preserve the truce. She returned to west coast operations.
Decommissioning and sale On 1 November 1954
Chief was placed in commission in reserve. Reclassified MSF-315 on 7 February 1955, she was placed out of commission in reserve 15 March 1955.
Chief was sold to
Mexico in February 1973. Renamed '
ARM Jesús González Ortega
(C83)', she remained in active service with the
Mexican Navy , ==Awards and honors==