From 15 June to 4 August 1944 "David W. Taylor" sailed in the screen of escort carriers and fleet oilers supporting the Marianas operation. On 4 July she and the destroyer escort attacked and sank the Japanese submarine at . The destroyer joined the 3d Fleet 19 August, and sailed out of Manus screening the logistics group supporting the fast carrier task forces in their raids preparing for and accompanying the capture and occupation of the southern Palaus. With her base of operations at Ulithi from 29 October, "David W. Taylor" continued to screen the logistics group until 22 November when she joined the carriers for air attacks on Luzon in support of the invading troops on Leyte.