"Owen", forced by boiler trouble to miss the China Seas operations, rejoined the force for the Leyte landings. On 25 October, "Owen", temporarily with TG 34.5, sailed to assist TF 77 units which had engaged enemy forces attempting to enter Leyte Gulf. Shortly after midnight, off the eastern end of San Bernardino Strait, an enemy destroyer, , was taken under fire. After several exchanges, "Owen" and closed to deliver the final blows. They accomplished their mission in under 20 minutes. "Nowaki" was sunk with the loss of all hands and also those survivors of the who were picked up a day before.