With Guadalcanal and the Aleutians secured, the U.S. Navy began its Central Pacific offensive with the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign undertaken between November 1943 and February 1944. DESRON-1 destroyers , , and screened the escort carrier task group during the invasion of Tarawa while and screened the shore bombardment task group during the assault on Makin Island. and served as control ships for the assault craft. Subsequently, DESRON-1 destroyers "Farragut", , and "Monaghan" screened the escort carrier force while "Macdonough" and "Aylwin" escorted the amphibious transport force during the landings on Kwajalein. Also, "Dewey" and "Hull" provided support to the amphibious reserve force, and "Phelps" supported mine-sweeping operations and Marine landings on Roi-Namur. "Macdonough", "Monaghan", and "Aylwin" provided shore bombardment support to the amphibious landings on Parry Island.