Upon completion of fitting out in the Galveston-Houston area, "Stafford" sailed in company with on 7 May for Bermuda for shakedown training. Her shakedown cruise was interrupted from 17 to 19 May, when she rendezvoused with convoy GUS-38 and escorted into Bermuda. She completed training and post-shakedown availability early in June and, on 9 June, joined off Bermuda to escort that Italian submarine north. Three days later, at the entrance to Casco Bay, Maine, relieved "Stafford" of her charge, and the destroyer escort stood into Boston Harbor and moored at Charlestown, Massachusetts. She underwent post-shakedown overhaul at the Boston Navy Yard from 13 to 22 June. The next day, she headed south and moored at Norfolk, Virginia, two days later.