After a Caribbean shakedown, Herbert C. Jones reported to the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., to participate in experiments on the method of control used by the Nazis in their glider bombs.

As a result of these under-fire investigations, Herbert C. Jones and her sister ship USS Frederick C. Davis were fitted with powerful radio-jamming sets in early December to counteract and misdirect the glider bombs.

This new electronic warfare capability was to find almost immediate use as Herbert C. Jones patrolled off the Italian coast 22 January 1944 while Allied troops stormed ashore to establish the Anzio beachhead.

With her special gear, Herbert C. Jones jammed and decoyed into the sea the great majority of the many glider bombs directed at the naval task force.

The destroyer escort saw her next major action as she arrived off the French coast 16 August, D-day plus one, to support Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France.