USS Devastator (AM-318) was an Auk-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing naval mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

Devastator was launched 19 April 1943 by General Engineering and Dry Dock Co., Alameda, California; sponsored by Mrs. D. A. Shaw; and commissioned 12 January 1944.

During 3 to 17 August she swept off French Frigate Shoals, and after one voyage to Eniwetok from 4 to 25 September, served at Pearl Harbor on training duty for the remainder of the year.

She patrolled during and after the invasion and in the heavy suicide attacks of 6 April downed a Japanese plane about 50 yards (46 m) off her port quarter.

Devastator remained on the U.S. West Coast for operations except for two extended periods at Pearl Harbor for experiments in hull design development.