The second of two squadrons of fast minesweepers formed at the end of World War II was Mine Squadron 21. As in the case of Mine Squadron 20 in late 1944, twelve Gleaves-class 1630-tonners

Mine Squadron 21 May 1945 MINDIV 61 USS Mervine (DMS 31), flag USS Quick (DMS 32) USS Davison (DMS 37) USS Thompson (DMS 38) MINDIV 62 USS Cowie (DMS 39), squadron flag USS Knight (DMS 40) USS Doran (DMS 41) USS Earle (DMS 42) MINDIV 63 USS Carmick (DMS 33), flag USS Doyle (DMS 34) USS Endicott (DMS 35) USS McCook (DMS 36)

were taken in hand for modification in 1945—DesRon 15’s Mervine, Quick, Davison and DesDiv 30 (Cowie, Knight, Doran and Earle) plus DesRon 18’s Thompson and DesDiv 35 (Carmick, Doyle, Endicott and McCook). Cowie, the first ship converted, became squadron flagship on rejoining the fleet in June 1945. The others began joining the squadron in San Diego during the summer.
   Had the war continued past August, MinRon 21 would’ve seen action and likely played a leading role—possibly sustaining heavy losses—in the invasion of Japan, which was scheduled to begin in November. Instead, they conducted post-war minesweeping operations in Japanese and other western Pacific waters.
   After returning home, although the squadron was disbanded, they remained in commission and thus were available to serve in the Korean War, where Carmick and Thompson each earned the Navy Unit Commendation.