After following the same routine on the 27th, "Willmarth" departed Leyte Gulf and headed for the Palaus. At 08:00 on 28 October, "Willmarth" — escorting the oilers earmarked to refuel the 7th Fleet ships — rendezvoused with the carriers of Task Group 77.4 and screened the refuelling operations for the balance of the day. Detached that afternoon, "Willmarth" screened "Ashtabula" and "Chepachet" as they voyaged to Kossol Roads, in the Palaus. Arriving on 30 October, "Chepachet" reloaded until 4 November, and returned to Leyte Gulf with her badly needed cargo to conduct fueling operations from 7 to 10 November.