Luce departed New York 5 September 1943 and arrived Bremerton, Wash., 28 October after visiting Trinidad and San Diego en route.

As a unit of the Southern Attack Force, TF 79, Luce sortied from Manus, Admiralty Islands, 11 October.

During the assault on Leyte 20 to 23 October, she patrolled outside the LST-transport areas providing air cover.

About 07:40, 4 May, Japanese kamikaze (suicide) planes were intercepted by the combat air patrol in the vicinity of Luce.

Unable to bring her guns to bear in time, she was struck in the aft section by the second kamikaze.

Moments later she slid beneath the surface in a violent explosion carrying 126 of her 312 officers and men with her.