"Hovey" continued screening and escort duties in the Solomons until 5 April 1944 when she escorted from Tulagi to Majuro, Marshall Islands. She returned to Espiritu Santo on 11 April and on the 20th joined Task Unit 34.9.3 (Captain Kane in ) delivering replacement planes to other carriers at Manus. The task unit 29 April with Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 58) to furnish replacement planes for the first strikes on Truk. Proceeding to Florida Island, "Hovey" departed for the U.S. West Coast, arriving 31 May via Pearl Harbor.