"Moale" set sail for Leyte Gulf 17 December. Arriving on the next day, she completed a high speed cargo run to Ulithi and back by the end of the year. On 3 January 1945, she was once again en route to an assault area. Steaming with Vice Admiral Jesse Oldendorf's Bombardment &amp; Fire Support Group TG 77.2, she arrived off Luzon on 6 January and commenced screening the heavy ships to seaward as they bombarded San Fernando and other enemy concentrations in the beachhead area at Lingayen Gulf. On 9 January, she took up gunfire support duties, alternating such duties with antisubmarine and antiaircraft operations. The destroyer operated with the Luzon covering group until 22 January. She then returned to Leyte, whence she joined the 5th Fleet and steamed back to Ulithi to resume operations with the Fast Carrier Forces, now designated TF 58. On 10 February, the force sortied from Ulithi and on 16–17 February, strikes were conducted against the enemy's capital to prevent aid from being sent to the Japanese defenders on Iwo Jima. Two ships of DesRon 60, and , were damaged when they collided on 16 February and on 17 February "Moale" was detached to escort them back to Saipan. While en route, "Moale" assisted in the sinking of an enemy armed merchantman and a small coastal vessel. Ordered back on 18 February, she rendezvoused with TG 58.4 on 19 February and, on 21 February, screened the carriers as they provided air cover for the marines' on Iwo Jima.