Following shakedown off the U.S. East Coast, Restorer joined a convoy en route to North Africa, mooring at Mers-el-Kebir 22 December.

Undamaged by occasional shellfire, bombs, and aerial torpedo attacks, she got underway 14 April for Naples; and, after salvage work on SS James Guthrie, she continued on back to North Africa.

At the conclusion of the Battle of Anzio, Mr. Roberson was honored to travel to Rome, with other naval officers and appear in an audience with Pope Pius XII at the Vatican.

Returning to Italy, she conducted salvage operations and demolition work on the sunken Swerve (AM-121) off Naples during March, then next steamed back to Algeria, whence she got underway for the United States on 7 April.

The vessel was found to be unsuitable, however, due to numerous leaks and the corrosion problems associated with diesel-electric drives in a salt water environment.

Restorer earned two battle stars for World War II service: Her crew was eligible for the following medals: This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.