As the tempo of the Pacific war quickened, "Kimberly" arrived at Manus, Admiralty Islands, to prepare for her roles in the reconquest of the Philippines. On 10 November she departed escorting a supply convoy to Leyte Gulf, carrying material to replenish U.S. forces there. On the evening of 21 December, while "Kimberly" escorted another convoy to Mangarin Bay, Mindoro, Japanese suicide planes attacked the American ships. During the 2-hour battle, "Kimberly"'s guns shot down one plane and assisted in the downing of two others. After repulsing the attack, the convoy proceeded to Mangarin Bay bringing men and material for the construction of an airstrip and a PT-boat base needed to support the invasion of Luzon, "Kimberly"'s next mission.