 Upon promotion to the temporary rank of Captain on March 20, 1945, Riley's ship provided close air support and bombed Japanese defenses as the marines struggled to fight their way south during the combats at Okinawa in May 1945 and Riley was decorated with Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V".He was transferred to the staff, Commander First Carrier Task Force under Vice Admiral Frederick C. Sherman as operations officer by the end of July 1945.While in this capacity he took part in the occupation of Japan and was appointed Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his wartime service by the United Kingdom.