Beginning on December 15, the squadron provided aerial protection for the US landing at Mindoro. Dawn/dusk patrols and providing protection to allied convoys in the area continued until January 3, 1945 when a Japanese aircraft was able to strafe the runway at Tacloban multiple times. From that point forward, VMF(N)-541 was tasked with continuous nighttime combat air patrols. While in the Philippines, the squadron flew 312 sorties equaling 924 combat hours. It was credited with downing 2o Japanese aircraft and destroying another five more on the ground. VMF(N)-541 departed the Philippines headed back to Peleliu on January 11, 1945. For actions in support of the United States Army in the Philippines, the squadron became the only Marine Aviation unit to be awarded the United States Army's Distinguished Unit Citation.