Ultimately completing her assigned duties in company with Monterey, "Willard Keith" returned to Norfolk to prepare for a scheduled -month overhaul. After repairs and alterations at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard from 11 February to 27 May, "Willard Keith" conducted refresher training out of Guantanamo Bay after first stopping at Norfolk en route. Returning to her home port on 4 August, the destroyer subsequently sailed for the Far East on 25 September in company with the other ships of Destroyer Division (DesDiv) 221.