Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Griffin was cited by Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, for his prompt and efficient action and his utter disregard of personal danger in the defense of Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay.

Sailing from Norfolk on 13 January 1945 Daniel T. Griffin arrived at Pearl Harbor on 6 February to serve with Underwater Demolition Teams.

She cleared on 14 February on convoy duty to Ulithi and Kossol Passage, then arrived at San Pedro Bay, Leyte, on 5 March for invasion rehearsals off Hononhan Island.

When the destroyer Morris (DD-417) was hit Daniel T. Griffin protected her against further attack assisted in putting out her fires, and escorted her into Kerama Retto.

On 11 July she arrived in San Pedro Bay, Leyte, for varied duty in the Philippines until 22 September when she sailed with occupation troops to Kure, Japan, landing her passengers from 6 to 11 October.