USS Joyce (DE-317) was originally commissioned as a US Coast Guard Edsall-class destroyer escort built for the U.S. Navy during World War II.

During its World War II service, on two different engagements with enemy submarines, the Joyce rescued survivors of the tanker SS Pan- Pennsylvania and its sister ship USS Leopold.

Following the outbreak of war between the United States and the Empire of Japan, Peary suffered heavy damage during a Japanese air attack while moored at Cavite, Philippines on 10 December 1941.

While steaming 400 miles south of Iceland on the night of 9 March Joyce braved two attacks from a German U-boat to rescue 28 survivors from the stricken USS Leopold, which was torpedoed while investigating a radar contact.

While screening for a straggler the following morning she was ordered to direct rescue operations for the gasoline tanker SS Pan-Pennsylvania, which was torpedoed and set aflame while taking station in the convoy.

Sailing from Guantánamo Bay 20 June, she transited the Panama Canal the 23d and steamed via San Diego, California, for Pearl Harbor where she arrived 11 July for duty with the Pacific Fleet.

She conducted ASW exercises in the Hawaiian operating area until 28 August when she sailed for Saipan Island and Sasebo, Japan, as escort for a convoy of amphibious landing ships.

With the outbreak in June 1950 of Communist aggression in South Korea Joyce was recalled to active duty; taken to Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, where she converted to a radar picket escort (DER-317); and recommissioned 28 February 1951.

After conducting ASW tactics with USS Cobbler in the Virginia Capes Operating Area, she departed Newport 30 June, joined the Eastern Air Defense Force, and commenced radar barrier station patrols to protect North America from surprise attack.

Interrupted only by overhauls and refresher training, these picket patrols continued for 5 years; Joyce ranged the Atlantic from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to the Virginia Capes and the West Indies.

Departing Newport 17 July 1957, Joyce sailed with her squadron for duty in the Pacific and, via the Dominican Republic, Panama, and San Diego, arrived Pearl Harbor 18 August.