As the Japanese fleet moved toward the Philippines in a large three-pronged attempt to stop the invasion, "Hutchins" joined Admiral Jesse Oldendorf's surface forces waiting in Surigao Strait for Admiral Shoji Nishimura's Southern Force. In this major phase of the larger Battle for Leyte Gulf officially referred to as the Battle of Surigao Strait, "Hutchins", flagship of Captain K.M. McManes' Destroyer Squadron 24 (DesRon 24), was stationed on the right flank of the powerful force Oldendorf had assembled. As Nishimura steamed up the strait early 25 October his ships were harassed by PT boats and then attacked by destroyers on both sides. "Hutchins"' group steamed south, launched torpedoes at about 03:30, and turned to close the range. As the large Japanese ships began to slow and scatter, the destroyers fired another spread of torpedoes, blowing up destroyer . After exchanging gunfire with the Japanese heavy ships, McManes brought "Hutchins" and the rest of the squadron out of range so that the big guns of the waiting fleet could open fire. Oldendorf won an important night victory.