"Burden R. Hastings" departed Pearl Harbor on 28 January 1944 and proceeded to the Marshall Islands where she supported the occupation of Kwajalein (5–6 February). Returning to Pearl Harbor on 13 February, she remained in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands until the 29th. Once again she returned to the Marshalls and then participated in the Palau-Yap-Ulithi-Woleai raids (30 March – 1 April). During the remainder of World War II "Burden R. Hastings" operated as a convoy escort, plane guard, and unit of various hunter-killer groups in the area of the Marshall, Gilbert, and western Caroline Islands.