With Leyte secured, "Lindenwald" prepared for the invasion at Lingayen Gulf, about 150 miles north of Manila. as the Navy leapfrogged toward Japan. The ship departed Manus for Lingayen on 31 December. En route, January, four suicide planes attacked the formation. One crashed the port side of escort carrier . Formation antiaircraft fire splashed or diverted the others. The action continued with increased fury the next day. As the LSDs launched boats, was crashed just 1,000 yards from "Lindenwald". That afternoon an enemy bomber damaged . Nevertheless, the operation was successful. On 10 January the ship steamed for Wake Island to get reinforcements and returned to Lingayen on the 27th. Departing immediately, she picked up more men and equipment from Biak Island and returned again to Lingayen 11 February. Shoving off 13 February, she arrived Guam on the 24th, then proceeded to Milne Bay, New Guinea, loaded 38 boats, and steamed for Leyte. Arriving 12 March, she reported to Task Force 51 (TF 51) under Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner and began preparations for the upcoming Okinawa campaign.