Returning to Bougainville's Empress Augusta Bay anchorage with reinforcements 8 November, Fuller came under enemy air attack, receiving a direct hit on her port side which set her afire and killed five of her crew and two soldiers embarked.

After a U.S. West Coast overhaul between 18 January 1944 and 20 March, Fuller trained at San Diego, California, and in the Hawaiian Islands for the Marianas assault.

Ordered away from the island for safety during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Fuller completed unloading her cargo 24 June, and sailed for Eniwetok with prisoners of war on board.

After preparations at Manus and New Guinea, Fuller once again launched her landing craft for the assault in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, 9 January 1945, putting out the next day for Leyte to load reinforcements.

Arriving at San Pedro Bay, Leyte, 2 days after hostilities ceased, Fuller carried out occupation transport assignments until returning to Seattle, Washington, 3 December 1945.

Fuller received nine battle stars for World War II service: Sailor Man The Troubled Life and Times of J.P. Nunnally, USN by Del Staecker 2015 ISBN 9781555718169