As flagship of Transport Squadron 14, she sortied with ships of the Southern Attack Force 27 March, and closed Okinawa early 1 April.

As flagship of Transport Squadron 19, Mendocino trained in Hawaiian waters until returning to San Francisco 4 June to embark troops and load cargo.

Between 29 June and 16 July, she sailed to Guam; thence, she carried veterans of the Pacific campaigns to the west coast, arriving San Francisco 4 August.

After the end of hostilities, she transported 1,523 Army officers and men to the Philippines; after embarking occupation troops at Legaspi, Luzon, she sailed in convoy for Japan 4 October.

Three days later, she joined the Operation Magic Carpet fleet and, from 26 October to 8 November, she carried returning veterans back to the United States.