Assigned to duty in the Pacific, "Halligan" departed Charleston 21 December, reached San Diego, California, 4 January 1944, and arrived Pearl Harbor 11 January. As part of Task Force 52 (TF 52), she sailed 22 January for the invasion of the Marshall Islands. Between 31 January and 25 February she operated as a screen and patrol ship during the Kwajalein operations, and she screened and patrolled in the forward area until returning to Pearl Harbor 22 May.