With her sister ship, USS Navajo (AT-64), the Seminole operated in Pearl Harbor during the busy, hectic days following the Japanese attack.

On 24 March 1942, she reembarked her divers; took the fleet tug Sonoma (AT-12) in tow; and steamed (under her diesel-electric power) for Pearl Harbor.

Arriving on 31 March 1942, she remained in the harbor on channel escort duty until 31 May 1942, when she commenced salvage operations on patrol craft YP-108 off nearby Wahie Point, Lanai.

On the morning of 25 October 1942, Seminole and YP-284, a converted fishing vessel, were unloading aviation gasoline, howitzers, and U.S. Marines about three and one-half miles east of Lunga Point when three Japanese destroyers, Akatsuki, Ikazuchi and Shiratsuyu appeared to the northwest.

Since the majority of the enemy projectiles had passed through her thin-skinned sides without exploding, Seminole lost only one crew member in the action.