Although no ships were sunk in the attack, they diverted air cover and forced a re-arming of Japanese planes which brought victory for the U.S. fleet.

Following a shakedown cruise to Bermuda, Hissem steamed via Charleston, South Carolina to New York, where she arrived 20 March 1944.

About 35 bombers and torpedo planes struck in a coordinated attack, and were repulsed by accurate gunnery and evasive chemical smoke.

Subsequently, Hissem performed regular escort duty across the Atlantic interspersed with anti-submarine and anti-aircraft training on the East Coast of the United States.

With the war in Europe over, the destroyer escort prepared to join the Pacific Fleet in dealing the death blows to the Japanese Empire.

After shakedown the ship joined the Atlantic Barrier, cruising as a sea extension of the DEW line to strengthen the northern defenses of Canada and the United States.

After two tours of picket duty she acted as command ship during the search for lost submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593) 16–21 April.

A month as school ship for sonar training at Key West, Florida was followed by two more days of duty on Thresher search operations 27–28 June.

Taking up new duties, Hissem sailed 12 August for New Zealand and Operation Deepfreeze, the Navy's continuing effort at exploration and scientific work in Antarctica.

From January 1966 to March Hissem was a member of TF-115 operating in the Tonkin Gulf to prevent the infiltration of supplies to the Viet Cong.