 Early in September, she joined forces at Guadalcanal staging for the invasion of the Palau Islands, a vital preparation for the return to the Philippines.With the assault forces, she arrived off Peleliu on 15 September, and after standing by as the first troops smashed ashore, sailed on to mine-infested Kossol Passage to begin the work of preparing what would become a major fleet anchorage.Net and salvage operations in the Palaus were "Catalpa's" contribution to the continuing operations there and in the Philippines until 28 February 1945 when she got underway for Ulithi and Eniwetok.