as the navy fought toward the philippines, admiral nimitz decided to take the palau islands as a staging area for aircraft and ships during the invasion of leyte. "kaskaskia" departed manus on 4 september with a task group bound for an assault on peleliu. she operated in the palau area until returning manus 8 october. her stay was a brief one, however, as she sailed 10 october for leyte. prior to the actual landings, she fueled units of the fleet, continuing this vital duty until a beachhead had been established. the oiler returned ulithi 23 october and made another fueling run to the philippine area early in november.