23 September, she departed Hawaii with another westbound convoy. On 3 October, she arrived at Eniwetok; shifted from Task Unit (TU) 31.5.3 to task unit TU 31.5.2; and continued on to the Admiralties to stage for the invasion at Leyte Gulf. Sage, with others of her division, MinDiv 13, arrived in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, on 9 October. On the 10th, she sortied with task group TG 77.5 and headed northwest. On the 17th, her division left the formation and, despite high winds, frequent squalls, and reduced visibility, commenced sweeping operations at the entrance to Leyte Gulf. At 0207 on the 20th, the minesweepers began maneuvering to avoid the main body of the assault force as it entered the gulf and, soon after 0630, they resumed mine disposal activities. Two hours later, the invasion was in progress and enemy planes became active. Leyte Gulf operations Minesweeping activities continued through the 23rd. On the 24th, intensified enemy air activity opened the multi-phased Battle for Leyte Gulf, and Sage was ordered to make smoke to cover smaller vessels in her area. She then anchored in San Pedro Bay, where she remained through the concluding actions of the battle. On the 27th, she cleared the bay and moved to the site of the Battle off Samar, where, for the next four days, she searched for survivors of the ships sunk during the engagement. Her lookouts sighted only unoccupied life rafts and life rings. On the evening of the 31st, Sage returned to San Pedro Bay, whence she conducted sweeps from 3 to 7 November. She then shifted her operations to an area north of Suluan and, on the 13th, returned to Leyte. On the 19th, she assumed antisubmarine patrol duties between Homonhon and Manicani, where a party from the ship provided the first medical assistance to the inhabitants in over three years. From the 23d to the 29th, the AM patrolled off the entrance to Leyte Gulf; then, after a week's rest, departed San Pedro Bay to support operations against Japanese facilities at Ormoc Bay. On 6 December, she moved through Canigao Channel and conducted sweeps in the Camotes Sea. On the 7th, she patrolled off the entrance to Ormoc Bay as the 77th Infantry Division was landed. Then, on the 8th, she returned to San Pedro Bay. Operating with the Mindoro Attack Force Four days later, Sage sortied with the Mindoro Attack Force.