The destroyer got underway on 26 March for a shakedown training out of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and arrived back in Boston on 27 April for a tender availability.

Then, late in October, Anthony was among the destroyers escorting troop transports to the Solomon Islands for landings on Bougainville.

She pulled into Tulagi on 15 November and soon began escorting ships carrying troops and supplies to various points in the Solomon Islands.

There, Anthony encountered several small Japanese ships and destroyed a gunboat and several barges before resuming her escort duties.

Although Anthony was originally slated to perform gunfire support duties, the American troops encountered such light enemy opposition when they went ashore that she was not required to carry out that assignment.

After a brief respite at Purvis Bay, the destroyer sailed on 23 February to take part in a bombardment of the enemy stronghold at Rabaul, New Britain Island.

The warships arrived at Sydney; and, on the 29th after a week of liberty in that city, Anthony weighed anchor on 6 May to return to Purvis Bay.

Soon after her reaching San Francisco, Calif. on 25 October, Anthony entered the Mare Island Navy Yard for an overhaul.

Anthony and other ships of the invasion force got underway on 27 January 1945 and stopped en route at Eniwetok and Guam.

But for one trip to Ulithi, the destroyer remained in the dangerous waters of that embattled island carrying out fire support, screening, and radar picket duties until late June.

After touching back at Okinawa for refueling and replenishing, Anthony commenced another sweep on 26 July off the mouth of the Yangtze River.

Anthony began the voyage home on 17 November and, after stops at Midway and Pearl Harbor, finally arrived in San Diego.

Shortly thereafter, she got underway for the east coast and transited the Panama Canal en route to Charleston, South Carolina.

Anthony earned seven battle stars for her World War II service, and was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation for heroism during the Okinawa campaign.