On 12 October, "Anderson" departed Seeadler Harbor with TG 78.2 for the landing operations at Leyte Gulf. Arriving in the area on 20 October, she took up patrol during the initial assault and until she joined TG 77.2 on 25 October. This group was under enemy air attack and "Anderson" fired on several planes without results. On 1 November, enemy air attacks were intense. The ship scored hits on several planes, splashing one. At 1812 on that day, a Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" fighter crashed into the ship's port side, aft of the break in the deck. "Anderson" suffered 14 dead and 22 wounded. Two of the wounded later died.