"eaton" departed casco bay, maine, 6 february 1943 for duty in the pacific. arriving at efate, new hebrides, 7 march, she patrolled with cruiser division 12 between that port and the solomons. she also escorted convoys from espiritu santo and nouméa to guadalcanal. after 10 august, from a new base at port purvis, florida island, she supported landings at rendova, vella lavella, and baracoma. in september, she rejoined cruiser division 12 for sweeps against japanese shipping in "the slot", sinking many barges. the "i-20" type-c japanese submarine was sunk on the surface at vella lavella on 01-10-1943.