Moberly (PF-63), originally designated as PG-171, was reclassified PF-63 on 15 April 1943, laid down as Scranton under Maritime Commission contract by Globe Shipbuilding Company in Superior, Wisconsin, on 3 November 1943, launched on 26 January 1944, sponsored by Mrs Howard J Snowden.

Assigned to Task Group 60.01 (TG 60.1), she departed Norfolk, Virginia, 22 February in the screen of North African bound convoy UGS-76.

In company with Atherton (DE-169) and Amick (DE-168), Moberly approached Buzzards Bay late that afternoon, only two days before Germany surrendered.

At 18:54, on orders from CTG 60.7 in Ericsson (DD-440), then at the southern entrance to the Cape Cod Canal, the ships turned about to search for a German submarine off Block Island.

The ships noted evidence of planking, life rafts, a chart tabletop, clothing and an officer's cap, which indicated success in the earlier attacks.

Six days later Moberly and Gladwyne (PF-62) sailed for the Marshall Islands to begin weather station and plane guard patrols.