He was transferred to the Philippines in January 1940 and appointed assistant communications officer for the Sixteenth Naval District Cavite under Rear Admiral John M. Smeallie. Roeder served in this capacity until November 1940, when he was attached to the staff of Commander in Chief, United States Asiatic Fleet. Roeder served under Admiral Thomas C. Hart as security and assistant communications officer and was ashore when Japanese attacked the Philippines in December 1941.