Operating in the Fire Support and Bombardment Group for the assault on the Palaus 6 September to 1 October, "Newcomb" fired 23 separate shore bombardments and also covered underwater demolition teams providing bombardment control spotting. As flagship of Destroyer Squadron 56 (DesRon 56), "Newcomb" joined in the Leyte landings 12 October to 4 December, covering underwater demolition teams and firing preinvasion-bombardment, call-fire, night-harassing and illumination missions.