Sailing via Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, Sanborn arrived at Saipan on 11 February 1945 to participate in preinvasion rehearsals for the forthcoming assault on Iwo Jima.

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class William D. Maroney took charge and was later awarded the Silver Star for his "extraordinary leadership and gallantry" in carrying out his duties under Japanese fire from 19 to 27 February 1945.

Recommissioned at San Diego on 6 January 1951, Sanborn conducted shakedown training off southern California before transiting the Panama Canal and joining the Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet, at Norfolk, Virginia.

In May 1953, Sanborn joined the Service Force, Atlantic Fleet, and transported construction battalions between Davisville, Rhode Island, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and Casablanca, French Morocco.

After her return to Norfolk, she continued to conduct amphibious training; this routine was interrupted, however, when Sanborn starred as "USS Belinda (APA-22)" in the movie Away All Boats produced by Universal International Pictures.