"Abner Read" held shakedown along the California coast into April 1943 then got underway with Task Group (TG) 51.2 for the Aleutian Islands. She assumed patrol duties on 4 May 1943 and on 11 May 1943, shelled targets on Japanese-occupied Attu Island, supporting the United States Army's 7th Division during the Battle of Attu. "Abner Read" again bombarded Attu on 16 May 1943 before returning to San Diego, California, arriving 31 May 1943.