After remaining at Pearl Harbor until 27 January 1945, "Yancey" departed for the Marianas with elements and cargo of the 5th Marine Division as part of Task Group (TG) 51.12 in support of the invasion of Iwo Jima. After stops for fuel and supplies at Eniwetok and invasion rehearsals at Tinian, the ship arrived off Iwo Jima at 06:24 on 19 February, D-day for the initial landing. During almost continuous operations for the first four days of the battle, "Yancey" only lost two landing craft (LCVPs): one to enemy mortar fire, and another to heavy surf. "Yancey" received minor damage when she collided with while transferring ammunition to the heavy cruiser.