"Clarence K. Bronson" reached Pearl Harbor 21 November 1943 for final training, remaining in Hawaiian waters aside from a single escort voyage to Tarawa, until January 1944, when she joined the Fast Carrier Task Force (then 5th Fleet's TF 58). "Bronson" screened this force for strikes supporting the landings on Kwajalein, and raids on Truk, Saipan, and Guam through February, and on 15 March, sailed from Espiritu Santo to screen aircraft carriers covering the landings in the Bismarck Archipelago from 19 to 25 March. With Task Group 36.1 (TG 36.1) she rejoined TF 58 two days later for strikes on Palau, Yap, and Woleai.