 After furnishing protection for the cruisers for two days, the group was detached to rejoin the 3rd Fleet fueling group which was then supporting the liberation of Leyte.The group arrived at Ulithi on 27 October and was dissolved the following day.On 1 November, "Steele" returned to the Palaus and operated from there until 8 January 1945 when she arrived at Ulithi for upkeep.