From 15 June 1943 to 1 March 1944, Cowanesque carried gasoline from the Texas oil ports to east coast bases. She departed Norfolk on 4 March on the first of two convoy voyage to Casablanca and Mers El Kébir. Sailing from Norfolk on 14 July, she arrived at Oran on 30 July and remained at Mers El Kébir until 4 September, fueling United States and Allied shipping. She returned to Norfolk on 19 September.
