The Knox class design was derived from the Brooke-class frigate modified to extend range and without a long-range missile system.

[1] The ships were equipped with one Westinghouse geared steam turbine that drove the single propeller shaft.

The Knox class had a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

The ships were equipped with a torpedo-carrying DASH drone helicopter; its telescoping hangar and landing pad were positioned amidships aft of the mack.

Beginning in the 1970s, the DASH was replaced by a SH-2 Seasprite LAMPS I helicopter and the hangar and landing deck were accordingly enlarged.

On her first Mediterranean Sea deployment, she conducted search and rescue operations on four occasions resulting in the saving of 22 lives.

In September 1987, Capodanno participated in Ocean Safari 87 a Major NATO exercise in the Norwegian Sea and Fjords.

[4] USS Capodanno was given to Turkey by the United States Navy as part of the restitution for the accident on TCG Muavenet (DM 357) in 1992.