Changes

In early November, as part of the build up of American forces in the Aleutians, the destroyer escorted Pyro (AE-1) and the transport Chaumont (AP-5) carrying troops and supplies to the new base at Adak. The warship then joined Detroit (CL-8) and Raleigh (CL-7) on 24 November for a scouting sweep north of the Semichi Islands. Poor visibility, freezing rain, and rough seas stymied search efforts, forcing the warships back to patrol the calmer waters north of the Andreanof Islands on 11 December.

In early November, as part of the buildup of American forces in the Aleutians, the destroyer escorted Pyro (AE-1) and the transport Chaumont (AP-5) carrying troops and supplies to the new base at Adak. The warship then joined Detroit (CL-8) and Raleigh (CL-7) on 24 November for a scouting sweep north of the Semichi Islands. Poor visibility, freezing rain, and rough seas stymied search efforts, forcing the warships back to patrol the calmer waters north of the Andreanof Islands on 11 December.

On 22 January 1944, Bancroft got underway for Operation "Flintlock," with orders to "assist in the seizure, occupation, and development of Kwajalein as an Allied base." Part of TG 52.9, comprising Manila Bay (CVE-61), Corregidor (CVE-58), Coral Sea (CVE-57), and three other destroyers, Bancroft screened the escort carriers enroute to the Marshall Islands. Arriving off the target on 30 January, Bancroft guarded the small carriers as their air squadrons, in conjunction with two battleships and three heavy cruisers, pounded Japanese positions for the two days leading up to the landings. On D-Day, 1 February, the destroyer closed the atoll, witnessing flames and smoke rising from Japanese positions on Kwajalein Island, and moored in the lagoon. She spent the night waiting to refuel from Zeilen (AP-9) and watching two other destroyers bombard the stubborn Japanese defenders. Bancroft rejoined the escort carriers' screen on the 3d, staying with them for the next 10 days as they launched aircraft in support of Army and Marine Corps operations ashore. After refueling from Tappahannock on the 13th, the destroyer escorted three transports back to Pearl Harbor, arriving there on 24 February.

On 22 January 1944, Bancroft got underway for Operation "Flintlock," with orders to "assist in the seizure, occupation, and development of Kwajalein as an Allied base." Part of TG 52.9, comprising Manila Bay (CVE-61), Corregidor (CVE-58), Coral Sea (CVE-57), and three other destroyers, Bancroft screened the escort carriers en route to the Marshall Islands. Arriving off the target on 30 January, Bancroft guarded the small carriers as their air squadrons, in conjunction with two battleships and three heavy cruisers, pounded Japanese positions for the two days leading up to the landings. On D-Day, 1 February, the destroyer closed the atoll, witnessing flames and smoke rising from Japanese positions on Kwajalein Island, and moored in the lagoon. She spent the night waiting to refuel from Zeilen (AP-9) and watching two other destroyers bombard the stubborn Japanese defenders. Bancroft rejoined the escort carriers' screen on the 3d, staying with them for the next 10 days as they launched aircraft in support of Army and Marine Corps operations ashore. After refueling from Tappahannock on the 13th, the destroyer escorted three transports back to Pearl Harbor, arriving there on 24 February.

On 22 March, the destroyer joined Lexington and TG 58.3 for a fast carrier sweep against Japanese bases in the Caroline Islands and [[New Guinea]]. These raids were designed to destroy Japanese air power in the region before American amphibious operations along the northern coast of New Guinea. On the 29th, while enroute to the Palau Islands, Bancroft's group was approached by three Japanese bombers. Friendly fighters shot down one plane but, at about 2100, two other [[Mitsubishi G4M|Mitsubishi G4M1 bombers]] ("Bettys") approached the warships. Most of the ships in the group, including Bancroft, opened fire and quickly splashed both aircraft, leaving circles of fuel and wreckage to burn on the water for several minutes.

On 22 March, the destroyer joined Lexington and TG 58.3 for a fast carrier sweep against Japanese bases in the Caroline Islands and [[New Guinea]]. These raids were designed to destroy Japanese air power in the region before American amphibious operations along the northern coast of New Guinea. On the 29th, while en route to the Palau Islands, Bancroft's group was approached by three Japanese bombers. Friendly fighters shot down one plane but, at about 2100, two other [[Mitsubishi G4M|Mitsubishi G4M1 bombers]] ("Bettys") approached the warships. Most of the ships in the group, including Bancroft, opened fire and quickly splashed both aircraft, leaving circles of fuel and wreckage to burn on the water for several minutes.