 There she took on passengers and proceeded to Funafuti, arriving on 2 November 1942 with Squadron 1B.The ship remained at Funafuti until 25 November, tending torpedo boats and engaging in rescue operations as American forces prepared for the coming assault on the Gilberts and Marshalls.On 12 November the "Hilo" and other units from Funafuti rescued Eddie Rickenbacker and the crewmen of a crashed B-17 after they were adrift at sea in rubber boats for 21-days.