Joining Task Group 77.2 (TG 77.2), 29 November, in San Pedro Bay, she patrolled Leyte Gulf and participated in the Battle of Ormoc Bay. On 2 December 1944, she was joined by the destroyers and for a midnight raid of enemy troop reinforcement at the western Leyte port of Ormoc. The three destroyers found themselves in confined waters, battered by continuous air attacks, two Japanese destroyers, several PT boats or fast motor launches, and one or more submarines, plus shore batteries. The enemy destroyer was sunk by gunfire from the three ships, but torpedoed and sank "Cooper" with the loss of 191 crewmen and 13 officers. "Moale" suffered three dead and twenty-five wounded. "Allen M. Sumner" recorded no fatalities but had 11 wounded. On 12 December, "Moale" shifted to TG 77.3 and took up a screening position with the Mindoro assault force. On 15 December, she provided fire support for the troops and antiaircraft protection for the ships in the transport area of Mangarin Bay. About ten "kamikazes" attacked the LSTs of the landing force. At least one plane was shot down by "Moale"s gunners, but two ships were hit. "Moale" went alongside to assist fighting the resulting fire, suffering damage, but the LST had to be abandoned and sunk. "Moale" suffered one fatality and thirteen wounded. "Moale" picked up 88 survivors from "LST-738" including the ship's captain.