"Riddle" operated in the Iwo Jima area in February 1945, acting as anti-aircraft and anti-submarine patrol as well as escorting various fleet units in their operations in that bloody battle area. On the 5th of March, she anchored at Saipan and the following day sailed for Leyte Gulf in company with . After remaining in San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, until 18 March, "Riddle" got underway as part of the escort group for task unit TU 51.7.1, en route to Kerama Retto, Okinawa.