The second USS Long Beach (PF-34) was a Tacoma-class frigate constructed during World War II, with her keel laid on 19 March 1943 by the Consolidated Steel Corporation in Wilmington, Los Angeles. Originally designated as PG-142 for patrol gunboat duties, she was reclassified as a patrol frigate (PF-34) on 15 April 1943. She was launched on 5 May 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Walter Boyd, and commissioned into the U.S. Navy on 8 September 1943. Following her shakedown off California, Long Beach departed San Diego in January 1944 for Cairns, Australia, arriving in February. Her service included towing operations in New Guinea, escorting ships for landings at Manus in the Admiralties, and participating in the invasion of Aitape. She was actively involved in patrol, escort, and shore bombardment duties in the Biak area and around New Guinea. In November 1944, she escorted a resupply convoy to Leyte Gulf, supporting the Pacific Island campaigns. After returning to the United States in early 1945, Long Beach underwent overhaul and served as the flagship of Escort Division 25. She traveled from Maine to Seattle via the Panama Canal, then moved to Kodiak, Alaska, in June 1945. During her time in Alaska, she participated in Project Hula, a secret operation transferring U.S. Navy ships to the Soviet Navy in anticipation of their entry into World War II against Japan. She was decommissioned from U.S. service on 12 July 1945 at Cold Bay and transferred immediately to the Soviet Union, where she was renamed EK-2. In Soviet service, EK-2 participated in the Soviet offensive against Japan in August 1945, including amphibious landings at Chongjin and Maoka. After the cessation of hostilities, she served as a patrol vessel in the Soviet Far East until her return to the United States in 1949. Subsequently, she was laid up at Yokosuka, Japan. In 1953, she was loaned to Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and reclassified as Shii (PF-17), later changing to PF-297. The U.S. Navy struck her from the Naval Vessel Register in 1961, and she was formally transferred to Japan in 1962. She continued service with the JMSDF until her decommissioning and renaming YAS-44 in 1967.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.