On 12 February, "San Francisco", in TG 58.2, cleared Majuro lagoon. Four days later, the carriers launched their planes as part of Operation Hailstone. On the night of 16–17 February, was torpedoed. "San Francisco", with others, was assigned to escort her eastward. On 19 February, the group split; "Intrepid", with two destroyers, continued toward Pearl Harbor, while "San Francisco" and the remaining ships headed for Majuro. On 25 February, "San Francisco" sailed for Hawaii with TG 58.2. On 20 March, the group returned to Majuro, refueled, and departed again on 22 March to move against the Western Carolines. From 30 March to 1 April, carrier planes hit the Palaus and Woleai. "San Francisco"s planes flew rescue missions.