Tuhia tētahi tohutoro mō tēnei wāhanga - I whakahaua a Ridderhof kia hoki ki te rohe o te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa i te marama o Hune 1944 ā, i whai wāhi ia ki tana hoa akomanga o te kura rautaki, ki a William L. McKittrick hei tumuaki o ngā kaimahi, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. I uru atu ia ki te parirau i nga mahi rererangi i Emirau, a, i muri mai, i uru atu ki nga whawhai rererangi i nga Moutere o Solomon
i raro i te rangatira a Ralph J. Mitchell. I whakawhiwhia a Ridderhof ki te Tohu Whetu Parahi me te Whawhai "V" mo tana mahi i te mutunga o te 1944.