Two months after her arrival in the Ryukyus, the fighting ended. "Stafford" continued anti-submarine patrols until 14 September, then rendezvoused with and escorted the tank landing ship to Japan. They reached Nagasaki on 15 September. She embarked ex-POWs and departed on 18 September. The destroyer escort made Machinato Anchorage at Okinawa on 20 September and discharged her passengers the following day. She then moved to Buckner Bay and remained in that area until 11 October, when she headed back toward Japan. She operated in Japanese waters, visiting Nagasaki, Sasebo, Wakayama, and Yokosuka until November.