TF 38 carried out heavy strikes against the Philippines and Formosa. 1945 Lingayen Gulf The fleet sailed into the South China Sea on 9–15 January to support the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, and the supporting ships fought off air attacks the carriers struck bases in China and Indochina. With damaged by a kamikaze on 21 January, Halsey Powell was assigned to escort her to Ulithi, where they arrived on 24 January 1945. Iwo Jima The carrier task force departed again in February to attack Japan itself. Halsey Powell screened the carriers during this attack, in covering attacks for the Iwo Jima invasion on 19 February, and later during more strikes on Japan. The destroyer shot down one attacking aircraft on 16 February and assisted with many others. Okinawa, kamikaze strike The veteran carrier groups returned on 1 March to Ulithi, but were underway again on 14 March to soften up Okinawa for the coming assault, and to strike more blows at Japan. On 20 March, Halsey Powell was alongside when Japanese aircraft attacked. As the destroyer was getting clear, the aircraft overshot the carrier and crashed Halsey Powell. Her steering gear jammed, but alert action with the engines averted a collision. Fires were put out, and although 9 were killed and over 30 wounded in the attack the ship reached Ulithi on 25 March. Halsey Powell arrived at San Pedro for battle repairs on 8 May, but with the Pacific war reaching its climax sailed again for Pearl Harbor on 19 July 1945. She arrived Eniwetok on 17 August, two days after the surrender of Japan, and was present in Tokyo Bay for the formal surrender ceremonies 2 September. The ship then supported the occupation forces until departing 31 October for Puget Sound. Halsey Powell decommissioned on 10 December 1946 at San Diego and was placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. Korean War With the increased demands on the Navy as a result of the Korean War, Halsey Powell recommissioned on 27 April 1951. After shakedown and training exercises the ship sailed for the familiar waters of the Far East 23 July from Long Beach, arriving Japan 16 August. Joining Task Force 77, the destroyer acted as plane guard and screening ship while the carrier planes kept up constant pressure on the Communist lines and shore installations. Halsey Powell continued these operations off the eastern coast of Korea until October,