 During the war "CD-17" was mostly busy on escort duties.On 12 January 1945, off Cape St. Jacques in the South China Sea (), "CD-17" was attacked by aircraft from the "USS Lexington (CV-16)", "USS Hancock (CV-19)" and "USS Hornet (CV-12)" which were part of Vice Admiral John S. McCain, Sr.'s Task Force 38 that had entered the South China Sea to raid Japanese shipping.She received three torpedo hits and sank at 0952.