Over the next 20 years, he served at various stations in the United States and completed tours in Santo Domingo, Nicaragua, and the Panama Canal Zone. In July 1941, he was transferred from San Diego to Pearl Harbor; and, in September 1941, to Midway Island. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his leadership in the defense of that island during the Battle of Midway.
Col. Shannon remained on Midway into August. He was then transferred to Pearl Harbor and, in October, to San Diego, where he died on 16 February 1943.
The first Shannon retained her former name during her service in the United States Navy; the second was named for Col. Harold D. Shannon.