Next on the timetable of the Pacific island campaign was the Palau group, needed to provide an airbase for further advances. "Haggard" was withdrawn from Guam to Espiritu Santo on 24 August 1944 and later joined the Western Escort Carrier Group off the Solomons. During the invasion of Peleliu 15 September "Haggard" screened carrier groups as they provided bombardment and close fire support for Marines ashore. Aircraft from her group also bombarded Ulithi before the ships returned to Manus' Seeadler Harbor 1 October.