After escorting a convoy to Casablanca between 1 April and 9 May, Foote prepared for Pacific duty, and on 28 June arrived at Nouméa, New Caledonia, to join Destroyer Squadron 23.

She put out from Purvis Bay on 31 October to bombard Buka Island and the Shortlands, neutralizing enemy airfields to prevent air opposition to the Bougainville landings.

With 19 killed and 17 wounded, Foote's men kept their ship afloat despite the fact that both engines were stopped, steering control lost and the main deck awash aft.

Bound for action once more, she crossed the Pacific to Kossol Roads, where she arrived 13 November to join the screen of an aircraft carrier force providing air cover for convoys from Manus Island reinforcing troops at Leyte.

During the numerous enemy air attacks while she was on station, she was credited with knocking down at least one plane, and suffered two men wounded from the effect of a near miss on 24 May.