After her shakedown cruise along the East Coast and in Cuban waters, Parker served as a convoy escort to North Africa, participating in the attack on Mehedia and Port Lyautey 7 November 1942.

From 13 June to 9 August, Parker operated from Leghorn to Palermo (Sicily) bombarding positions on the shore and escorting convoys.

On 31 August, with Destroyer Squadron 16, she departed Naples for home via Mers-el-Kebir, Algeria, and arrived New York 14 September.

After repairs at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and training at Casco Bay, Parker arrived Norfolk, Virginia, 11 November.

In March she supported Allied forces on the Franco-Italian and western Italian fronts, operating out of Cannes and Toulon, France.

[1] After returning home, Parker decommissioned 31 January 1947, entered the U.S. Atlantic Reserve Fleet; and was berthed at Charleston, South Carolina.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.