On 24 August 1942, while serving as a section leader in Fighting Squadron 5 operating from the USS Saratoga, he was killed in action in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.

Dufilho got underway for Leyte on 23 January 1945 but was diverted to Morotai to join the escort for a convoy of 80 tank landing ships (LSTs) bound with reinforcements of men and supplies for Lingayen Gulf, Luzon.

She continued to escort supply convoys from Morotai and Leyte to Subic Bay and Lingayen Gulf until the 27th when she was assigned to the San Bernardino-Verde Islands Minesweeping unit guarding minecraft as they cleared the sea lane to Manila, as well as taking part in naval and amphibious operations along this route.

Between 26 April and 5 July 1945, Dufilho joined in the Borneo operation, escorting shipping from the Philippines and Mios Woendi to Morotai in preparation for the landings at Tarakan and Brunei Bay in May and June.

After 20 minutes with no evidence of a destroyed submarine, Dufilho picked up the whaleboat and survivor and commenced screening for the rescue operation until 1615 the following afternoon, when she was released to return to Leyte.