After shakedown in the Pacific, "Henley" headed east, reporting to the Sonar School at Key West on 19 February 1947 for a five-month tour of duty. She then reported to Norfolk, Virginia from which she sailed 28 July for her first Mediterranean cruise, which terminated on 1 December at Boston. On her second tour in the Mediterranean, "Henley" patrolled with other United Nations ships in the summer of 1948 as the Israeli-Arab dispute threatened to erupt into war. After a year of tactical training exercises and fleet maneuvers, "Henley" decommissioned at Charleston, South Carolina on 15 March 1950. Less than six months later, with the outbreak of war in Korea, "Henley" went back in commission, rejoining the active fleet 23 September. Shakedown over, she sailed July 1951 for another tour with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. "Henley" was detached from this duty and made a cruise to northern European ports, including a journey up the Seine to Rouen, before returning to Norfolk in February 1952.