 She put to sea again from Pearl Harbor 10 November for the invasion of the Gilberts, during which she screened aircraft carriers, and protected assault shipping as it unloaded.She bombarded Nauru Island on 8 December, and sailed to Efate, New Hebrides, from which she screened the air strikes on Kavieng, New Ireland, arriving at Funafuti 21 January 1944 to join the huge Fast Carrier Task Force (then the 5th Fleet's TF 58).Between 23 January and 26 February 1944, "Conner" operated in the Marshalls assaults.