Following her shakedown at Guantanamo Bay, "Willis A. Lee" returned to her homeport, Newport, R.I., and began a career of operations with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. She was deployed to the Mediterranean for the first time in July 1955, cruising with the 6th Fleet—the first ship of her type to operate with that force. Upon the conclusion of her first tour with the 6th Fleet later that year, "Willis A. Lee" returned to the east coast and operated off the eastern seaboard in air defense exercises.