Shortly after the U.S. entry into World War II, Bittern was scuttled to avoid capture after being severely damaged during a Japanese air raid on Cavite Navy Yard in December 1941.

But the routine was broken occasionally by assignment to scientific expeditions and in September 1923 by relief work following the Yokohama, Japan, earthquake.

The Japanese air raid on Cavite Navy Yard on 10 December 1941 found Bittern undergoing repairs.

Although not hit, Bittern suffered extensive damage from fire, near misses, and flying debris from USS Sealion moored alongside.

Too badly damaged for repair, the minesweeper was scuttled in Manila Bay during the Battle of Bataan,[2] after her crew had transferred to USS Quail.