After the epochal Battle of Leyte Gulf, which broke the back of Japanese sea power, "Halford" departed Leyte Gulf 1 November 1944 and took up operations with the 3rd Fleet out of Ulithi until 2 December when she returned to Leyte as part of the covering force for the landings. On 6 December she was dispatched to escort damaged SS "Antone Sautrain" into Leyte, but the ship was lost in air attack. Returning to Leyte "Halford" next escorted supply echelons to Ormoc Bay and troopships to Mindoro.