"You may be sure I will welcome you back with open arms anytime, any ocean," Admiral Halsey signaled on the squadron's detachment from his command-and in August 1945, he did. On August 23rd, he ordered the Nicholas (DD-449), O'Bannon (DD-450), and Taylor (DD-468), the three DesRon 21 veterans still at sea with the Third Fleet, to form the escort for his flagship, the Missouri (BB-63).