After shakedown, "LeHardy" was assigned to the "pineapple run", escorting convoys from the United States west coast to Pearl Harbor. She sailed on her first cruise to Hawaii on 21 July and made two additional runs with convoys before being ordered to remain at Hawaii in late October. Following training exercises, "LeHardy" departed Pearl Harbor on 15 November as ASW screen with a convoy en route to Tarawa. Upon arrival there 10 days later, the destroyer escort continued patrol and screening operations with the 5th Fleet in the vicinity of the Gilbert Islands. "LeHardy" remained off the Gilberts as the U.S. Marines ashore secured the islands, from which the Marshalls operation would be launched.