Sailing from San Diego, California, on 20 February 1944, "El Paso" arrived at Milne Bay, New Guinea, on 4 April after training at Pearl Harbor and convoy escort duty to the Gilberts and Espiritu Santo en route. The frigate patrolled in the New Guinea area, and carried out several bombardment missions. On 25 May she shelled enemy positions at Maffin Bay, and 2 days later in company with two destroyer escorts, bombarded Wakde Island. On the night of 14 June she provided fire support at Aitape, and on the 25th blasted the edge of the airfield on Wakde Island. The next mission was a combination scouting, salvage, and rescue work at Pagan and Fanildo Islands on 25 August.