After completing her shakedown in the Chesapeake Bay area, Stratford sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, on 23 October, for Iceland, via New York City and Nova Scotia.

She shuttled troops and cargo from rear areas to advance bases and; as the Americans penetrated further into the Pacific, her ports of call increased.

Stratford arrived at Leyte on 2 April 1945 and operated in the Philippine Islands until 1 December when she sailed for the United States, via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor.

Her crew was eligible for the following medals: This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

The December 1988 issue of Proceedings, published by the US Naval Institute, contains a three-page story about the USS Stratford's mishaps and adventures en route to Iceland.