During the Battle of Leyte Gulf (20 October 1944), "Tama" was assigned to Vice Admiral Jisaburō Ozawa Northern Mobile ("Decoy") Force. During the Battle off Cape Engaño (25 October), Ozawa's force was attacked by Task Force 38, with USS "Enterprise", , , , , , , , and . "Tama" was attacked by TBM Avenger torpedo bombers from VT-21 of "Belleau Wood" and VT-51 from "San Jacinto". A Mark 13 torpedo hit "Tama" in her No. 2 boiler room. After emergency repairs, "Tama" retired from the battle, escorted by the cruiser , but "Isuzu" was ordered to protect the damaged aircraft carrier . "Tama" was then escorted by destroyer , but later "Shimotsuki" too was ordered off to assist the damaged carrier . "Tama" proceeded alone at towards Okinawa.