After the attack, "Dobbin" served in the Hawaiian area until May 1942 and then she was sent to Sydney, Australia. "Dobbin" was one of several Allied vessels located in Sydney Harbor during the Japanese midget submarine attack of 31 May 1942. On 25 June 1943 she was sent to Brisbane, Mackay, Townsville, and Cleveland Bay, Australia, before arriving at Milne Bay, New Guinea, 30 September 1943. She stayed near New Guinea until 14 February 1945, at which point she moved to Subic Bay in the Philippines. She served at Subic Bay from 24 February to 3 November 1945.