August, 1944

By August 4, the Mobile was back at the Chichi and Iwo Jimas for more air strikes. Just after sunset that day, aided by star shell illumination from the USS Oakland, the Moe sank an 8,000 ton cargo ship on her own, then assisted in the sinking of a Japanese destroyer. The next day, they bombarded Chichi Jima. Japanese shore batteries targeted the Mobile three times but only straddled the ship.

The Mobile headed back to Eniwetok, conducting several days of fleet tactical training on the way, then rested for two weeks while the task force was reorganized once more. Task Force 58 was redesignated as 38, but on August 27, Mobile was assigned to Task Force 34, the Heavy Surface Striking Force. Four more days of tactical training and exercises followed, then Task Force 34 was dissolved and Mobile found herself back in Task Force 38.
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From the Data Section of Joe's Journal:

17 _ Bonin Is. ____________ Aug. 4, 5 1944
(Chichi-Jima)
_________ air strike & shore bombardment, we had a air strike on Aug 4 & shore bombardment on Aug 5 Japs ships sunk or damaged

_____ Sunk ______________ Prob. Sunk
4 aircraft carriers _______ 2 heavy cruisers
2 Destroyers __________ 3 tankers
2 tankers _____________ 2 destroyers

damaged
1 light cruiser