On 13 October 1944, the USS Russell sailed to the Philippines with TF-78 and on October 20 patrolled off Alabat Point, while troops landed and continued operations around the Philippines before returning to New Guinea and escorting reinforcements from there to the Philippines in November and December.
On 28 December, she departed Aitape for the invasion of Luzon and then steamed to Mindoro Strait. Two days later, she joined three other destroyers in forming an interceptor force to destroy Japanese ships sortieing out of Manila Bay. At 2230, the Japanese destroyer Hinoki was discovered and fire opened on it.
The Japanese ship sank in twenty minutes. The Russell was ordered to pick up survivors and several were seen in the water, but refused assistance.
After that, the Russell patrolled, illuminated, bombarded and fought off kamikazes for nine days. From 18-23 January, she escorted damaged vessels to Leyte.
--GreGen
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