"Leary"s first Mediterranean deployment began in October 1945. Departing Newport on 29 October, "Leary" joined the U.S. 6th Fleet and made visits to ports in Algeria, Greece, Italy, and the island of Rhodes. She returned home on 14 February 1948. These missions were "Leary"s routine in succeeding years. In 1949, "Leary"s official designation was changed from DD-879 to DDR-879 to reflect her status as a radar picket destroyer. With the exception of 1957, "Leary" spent most of her time on active duty with the 6th Fleet, including the Suez Crisis of 1956, and the Lebanon landings of 1958.