On 31 August 1944, the squadron's first combat action came as combat strikes were flown from in squadron F6F Hellcats against the Bonin Islands. Strikes followed to Yap and Palau Islands, Peleliu Island, Okinawa, Formosa, Luzon, and Leyte. VF-20 was heavily involved in the initial invasion operations in the Philippines, including the epic Battle of Leyte Gulf from 24–25 October 1944. VF-20 aircraft struck elements of all three Japanese Task Forces which were converging on Leyte Gulf.