After shakedown, Maddox departed New York on 2 January 1943 for Norfolk, Virginia where she commenced escort duties.

As the assault troops opened the amphibious Battle of Gela on 10 July, Maddox was on antisubmarine patrol about 16 miles offshore.

[1] One of the bombs exploded Maddox's aft magazine, causing the ship to roll over and sink within two minutes.

[2] Lieutenant Commander Sarsfield was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism displayed in supervising abandon ship.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.