After a period of tender overhaul, she steamed out of Kossol Roads 1 January 1945 for the invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines. En route the ship received ice cream for all hands for returning a sailor fallen overboard from . She arrived in Lingayen Gulf 6 January for fire support. While supporting this operation, "Leutze" 7 January sank a Japanese patrol vessel and 9 January a small suicide boat loaded with explosives.