"Apache" rendezvoused with Task Group 77.6 on 2 January 1945 to take part in the invasion of Lingayen Gulf on Luzon and, for the next few days, she worked under frequent Japanese air attacks. On 5 January 1945, she was attacked by numerous Japanese planes and claimed to have shot down four. One of the planes crashed into "Apache"s radar mast and exploded off her port bow. Three of her crewmen were wounded, and "Apache" herself sustained minor material damage, but remained in operation with the task group. On 13 January 1945, she steamed to the aid of escort aircraft carrier USS "Salamaua" (CVE-96), which had been damaged by a Japanese "kamikaze" suicide plane, and shepherded "Salamaua" to Leyte. From there, "Apache" proceeded to Seeadler Harbor at Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands for repairs.