On 1 July, "Stern" sailed for the West Coast of the United States, via Ulithi and Pearl Harbor. She arrived at San Pedro, California, on the 25th. She sailed from that port on 20 October, and proceeded, via the Panama Canal, to Norfolk, Virginia, for inactivation. By a directive issued in March 1946, "Stern" was to be sold as surplus of naval requirements. The sale was cancelled and the escort was transferred to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. She was placed in reserve, out of commission, on 26 April 1946 and berthed at Green Cove Springs, Florida.