On 19 August 1944, the destroyer left New Guinea and joined Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 38). She screened the carriers , , and , while they launched air strikes on the Bonins, Ulithi, Yap, Palau, Okinawa, Taiwan, and while they provided air support for the Philippine landings on 20 October. As the Japanese launched a three-pronged naval attack on the United States forces at Leyte, "Swanson"s task group first assisted in turning back the Japanese central force in San Bernardino Strait during the day of 24 October, sinking the battleship ; and then raced north to intercept the Japanese decoy force of carriers off Cape Engaño, Luzon. When word arrived that the Japanese central force had once again reversed course and was threatening the Leyte beachhead, part of TF 38 turned south again. However, "Swanson" remained in the north and helped to complete the destruction of the Japanese carriers.