Changes

At the conclusion of another repair period, Bell got underway from Boston on 6 November in company with Cabot (CVL-28) and Wickes (DD-578) and embarked on the long voyage to join the Pacific Fleet. She and her traveling companions transited the Panama Canal between 12 and 15 November and reached San Diego on the 22d. She and her colleagues resumed the westward journey almost immediately and arrived in Pearl [[Harbor]] on 27 November. Bell remained in the Hawaiian Islands only a few days, returning to sea on 5 December in company with Breton (CVE-23) and shaping a course for the New Hebrides Islands in the southwestern Pacific. Ten days later, she sailed into Segond Channel at Espiritu Santo and reported for duty to the Commander, South Pacific Area. Assigned to the 3d Fleet, Bell stood out of Espiritu Santo on 22 December in Task Group (TG) 37.2, built around Bunker Hill (CV-17) and Monterey (CVL-26), bound for her first combat mission in the Pacific theater.

At the conclusion of another repair period, Bell got underway from Boston on 6 November in company with Cabot (CVL-28) and Wickes (DD-578) and embarked on the long voyage to join the Pacific Fleet. She and her traveling companions transited the Panama Canal between 12 and 15 November and reached San Diego on the 22d. She and her colleagues resumed the westward journey almost immediately and arrived in [[Pearl Harbor]] on 27 November. Bell remained in the Hawaiian Islands only a few days, returning to sea on 5 December in company with Breton (CVE-23) and shaping a course for the New Hebrides Islands in the southwestern Pacific. Ten days later, she sailed into Segond Channel at Espiritu Santo and reported for duty to the Commander, South Pacific Area. Assigned to the 3d Fleet, Bell stood out of Espiritu Santo on 22 December in Task Group (TG) 37.2, built around Bunker Hill (CV-17) and Monterey (CVL-26), bound for her first combat mission in the Pacific theater.

Bell operated with TG 38.1 for two more weeks, supporting the carriers during another series of air strikes on targets in the Philippines. On 16 November, the destroyer parted company with the flattops to join TG 30.4 for the voyage to the Carolines. She arrived in the lagoon at Ulithi on 17 November and remained there for six days. The warship departed Ulithi on 23 November in company with Burns (DD-588) to escort a trio of tankers to Hollandia, New Guinea. After seeing their charges safely to their destination, the pair of destroyers returned to sea for a voyage to Manus in the Admiralty Islands. On the 27th, Bell and her colleague entered port at Seeadler Harbor at Manus and reported for duty with TG 77.4 in conjunction with the preparations for the invasion of Luzon.

Bell operated with TG 38.1 for two more weeks, supporting the carriers during another series of air strikes on targets in the Philippines. On 16 November, the destroyer parted company with the flattops to join TG 30.4 for the voyage to the Carolines. She arrived in the lagoon at Ulithi on 17 November and remained there for six days. The warship departed Ulithi on 23 November in company with Burns (DD-588) to escort a trio of tankers to Hollandia, [[New Guinea]]. After seeing their charges safely to their destination, the pair of destroyers returned to sea for a voyage to Manus in the Admiralty Islands. On the 27th, Bell and her colleague entered port at Seeadler Harbor at Manus and reported for duty with TG 77.4 in conjunction with the preparations for the invasion of Luzon.