World War II

Buchanan earned sixteen bronze service stars on her Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon during World War II as follows:
1 Star GUADALCANAL-TULAGI LANDINGS
7–9 August 1942.
1 Star CAPE ESPERANCE — SECOND STRIKE
11–12 October 1942.
1 Star CAPTURE AND DEFENSE OF GUADALCANAL
12 November 1942.
1 Star GUADALCANAL — THIRD STRIKE
12–15 November 1942.
1 Star NEW GEORGIA GROUP OPERATION
New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation: 30 June–12 July 1943.
Kolombangara action: 12–13 July 1943.
1 Star TREASURY-BOUGAINVILLE OPERATION
Buka-Bonis strike: 1–11 November 1943.
First Rabaul strike: 5 November 1943.
1 Star CONSOLIDATION OF NORTHERN SOLOMONS
8–13 January 1944.
1 Star ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS
22 January 1944.
1 Star BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO OPERATION
Green Islands landing: 15–19 February 1944.
Bombardments of Kavieng and Rabaul: 18 February 1944.
Antishipping sweeps — Bombardment of Kavieng: 21–25 February 1944.
1 Star BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO OPERATION
Antishipping sweeps — Bombard of Rabaul: 24 February–1 March 1944.
1 Star WESTERN CAROLINE ISLANDS OPERATION
Capture and occupation of South Palau Islands: 6 September–14 October 1944.
Assaults on the Philippine Islands: 9–24 September 1944.
1 Star LEYTE OPERATION
Luzon attacks: 14–16 December 1944.
1 Star LUZON OPERATION
Third Fleet supporting operations — Luzon attacks: 6–7 January 1945.
Third Fleet supporting operations — Formosa attacks: 9–15 January 1945.
Third Fleet supporting operations — China coast attacks: 16 January 1945.
1 Star IWO JIMA OPERATION
Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima: 15 February–5 March 1945.
1 Star OKINAWA OPERATION
Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation: 16 March–28 June 1945.
Assault and occupation of Okinawa: 24 March–30 June 1945.
1 Star THIRD FLEET OPERATIONS AGAINST JAPAN
10 July–15 August 1945.