For several months after the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, she served as the harbor entrance control vessel at Sagami Wan for the occupation forces before returning home.

She screened the Aircraft carriers during their strikes on Mindanao, Samar, Cebu, and Negros in the Philippines, then supported the ground forces in the Battle of Angaur on 17 September 1944.

These efforts neutralized Japanese bases for the scheduled invasion of the Philippines and resulted in the rescue of numerous downed aviators.

Her anti-aircraft fire accounted for at least one Japanese plane during the heavy air attacks of 24 October in the epic Battle for Leyte Gulf.

Anchoring in Sagami Wan on 27 August 1945, she served as harbor entrance control vessel for the occupation forces until sailing for home.

The Betty, apparently damaged, came towards her, fishtailing to avoid heavy anti-aircraft artillery, when she was downed just off the stern of the Cushing, caused most likely by her 20 millimetres (0.79 in) rounds.

She conducted exercises in the North Atlantic and in the Caribbean, and cleared Norfolk on 7 January 1953 to join TF 77 off Korea for duty as plane guard.

She visited Manila, Singapore, Colombo, Aden, Piraeus, Genoa, Cannes, and Algiers, before returning to Norfolk on 22 August from this cruise around the world.

Cushing's home port was changed to Charleston, South Carolina, in October 1960, and the destroyer sailed to the east coast.