Recommissioned 4 May 1951 Dortch was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, and from Newport, Rhode Island, operated on the east coast and in the Caribbean. In August 1952 she sailed to take part in NATO Operation Mainbrace off Norway and Denmark, returning to Newport 9 October. On 27 April 1953 she sailed for the Pacific, and operated with TF 77 off Korea until October. She continued west to complete a round-the-world cruise, returning to Newport in December. In 1954-55 and 1957 she served with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, patrolling off the Gaza Strip, where conditions remained tense after the Suez Crisis, during the latter cruise. "Dortch" continued her east coast and Caribbean operations until again placed out of commission in reserve on 13 December 1957.