She remained on fire-fighting, rescue, and salvage station at Ulithi and Saipan through 7 May, distinguishing herself in fire-fighting efforts on the carrier (CV-15), hit by kamikazes on 11 March. After towing a derrick and a lighter to Leyte, "Grapple" sailed for Pearl Harbor. On 6 June she was diverted to assist "SS William Hawkins", adrift near Johnston Island; taking the merchantman in tow, she reached Hawaii 11 June, stopping only long enough to disengage her tow before continuing to Portland, Oregon, where she docked 22 June.