Peoria's shakedown voyage (or sea trial) commenced on 12 January 1945, bound for the North Atlantic Ocean around Bermuda, and returned successfully to Norfolk, Virginia.

Peoria's first mission, begun on 4 March, was to sail with a convoy for the British Crown colony of Gibraltar.

Peoria then spent a brief amount of time at New York City, until she was called out for use in anti-submarine training at Casco Bay, Maine.

On 21 May, Peoria left New London, assigned to Charleston, South Carolina, where she was to be fitted out for patrol duty in the Atlantic.

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