Moyer took the office of Governor of American Samoa on June 5, 1942. During his governorship, Moyer suggested the tour of duty for military personnel in American Samoa be reduced from 18 to 12 months, believing that "the climate is bad for most Caucasians".[1] As the Pacific War drew westward, Moyer took control of the United States Marine barracks on the island, a command previously held by Henry Louis Larsen, a man with the short-lived position of Military Governor of Tutuila.[7] Moyer ceded the office to Captain Allen Hobbs on February 8, 1944.[7]