USS Improve arrived in time to support the Allied landings in Southern France ("Operation Dragoon"; August 15 - September 14th, 1944). She and five of her sisters were teamed with six auxiliary boats and a pair of British Royal Navy vessels to sweep for naval mines (Mine Squadron 11). They also pioneered a blimp technique which proved useful in spotting and identifying potential floating dangers at range. Their guns were also used against enemy shoreline positions as needed. In March of 1944, USS Improve took part in the Anzio Landings.
The vessel remained on station in Mediterranean waters prior to returning home in April of 1945. She then sailed for the Pacific Theater by way of the Panama Canal and arrived in California in July. She trained until the end of the war - which came in August with the Japanese surrender.
USS Improve conducted more minesweeping operations even after the war as many areas remained dangerous to military and commercial ships alike. She then saw decommissioning on November 6th, 1946 and served out the rest of her days in merchant service (1949 onwards) as MV Ecuador. With her usefulness over, she was sunk in 1953.
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