On Feb 1, 1942, the Douglas TBD-1 Devastator of VT-6 on US Navy CV-6 Enterprise attacked the port and IJN vessels in Kwajalein Island. Due to the reliability issues of the MK XIII torpedo, the attacks were not very successful. In the first action, an armed tug and several cargo vessels were sunk while no TBD-1 of VT-6 was shot down. Through the baptism of fire, especially the Pearl Harbor Attack, the US Navy learned what halfway action meant. VT-6 started the attacks again soon after they had returned to the carrier. With the armament changed to 500lb bombs, the second attack destroyed the airport and tank farm thoroughly.

On Feb 24, 1942, VT-6 on USN Enterprise attacked Wake Island which had just been occupied by the Japanese. The TBD was used as a level bomber during the raid. Its standard armament for bombing mission was two 500 pound bombs. On March 4th they also attacked Marcus Island. Two of the biggest actions were the raids against Lea and Salamaua in New Guinea.

Even though the performance of the TBD-1 in actual combat was below expectations, its meritorious services in several operations can not be ignored. By August 1944, no TBD-1 was left in the US Navy inventory. The last Devastator in the U.S. Navy was used by the Commander of Fleet Air Activities-West Coast until being scrapped in November 1944.