enough from Leyte Gulf for it to be out of action while the Emperor's other three forces, composed of surface warships, annihilated the American shipping supporting Major General Douglas MacArthur's beachhead on Leyte. Thus, they hoped to strand the American invaders on Leyte as MacArthur's soldiers had been caught on Bataan some three years before. The more powerful of these surface forces was to cross the Sibuyan Sea, transit San Bernardino Strait, and descend upon Leyte Gulf from the north. The other two were to emerge from Surigao Strait and attack the invaders in Leyte Gulf from the south. On 25 October, Aulick was part of the screen that was protecting American battleships and cruisers guarding the waters approaching Surigao Strait. The guns of these warships defeated the first of the Japanese southern forces so decisively that the second force turned back before really getting into action. As the Japanese retreated, the American ships, including Aulick, joined in sinking a Japanese destroyer of the . Before the Americans could finish off any more ships, they were ordered to return to Leyte Gulf. Reports were received that a large Japanese force was approaching from the north. Aulick and five other destroyers took station near the south coast of Homonhon Island awaiting an attack which never materialized. On 29 October, Aulick sailed in company with TG 77.2 for Seeadler Harbor. The destroyer sortied on 17 November to meet the battleship in Vitiaz Strait and escort her back to Seeadler. After escorting the battleship on to Ulithi, Aulick sailed back to Leyte on 22 November. Arriving in Leyte Gulf on 25 November, Aulick once again joined TG 77.2. On 29 November, while on antisubmarine patrol in the east entrance to Leyte Gulf, Aulick was attacked at 1750 by six Japanese planes. One peeled off and dived toward the destroyer, dropped a bomb close aboard, then exploded on hitting the water approximately off the destroyer's port bow. Another aircraft approached and struck the starboard side of the bridge with its wingtip, continued forward and downward, and exploded near the bow just above the main deck. The explosion set the number 2 gun and handling room on fire. Metal fragments killed several men on the bridge and flying bridge. Altogether a total of 31 men were killed, 64 were wounded, and 1 was missing. After being relieved by the destroyer , Aulick proceeded to San