Commissioned in 1960, she spent the early part of her career in the Pacific Ocean, participating in four tours of duty during the Vietnam War.

Coontz departed from San Diego on 10 August 1961 and joined the Seventh Fleet as a unit of the fast carrier task force.

Remaining with the Seventh Fleet for more than seven months, Coontz steamed 55,000 nautical miles (102,000 km; 63,000 mi) and visited ports in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, B.C.C, Australia and American Samoa.

While conducting training exercises to maintain full combat readiness, Coontz received the coveted "E" award for excellence in missilery.

Coontz returned to the United States on 23 March 1962 to rejoin the U.S. First Fleet and became the flagship of the Commander, Destroyer Squadron 17 in April 1962.

In October 1962 Coontz left San Diego and sailed out to sea about 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi) to provide protection for the Camp Pendleton Marine transports just in case they were needed during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Coontz sailed with the Seventh Fleet in Asiatic waters, visiting Yokosuka, Kobe, Kure and Beppu in Japan and Hong Kong, B.C.C in China.

Coontz was overhauled and her missile weapons systems extensively modernized from October 1963 to April 1964 at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.

Upon rejoining the Pacific Fleet in April 1964, Coontz successfully completed comprehensive weapons systems qualification trials and refresher training.

She steamed 41,000 miles (66,000 km) and visited Subic Bay, Philippines, Hong Kong, B.C.C., Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan.

In December 1964, Coontz was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for support of Vietnam War operations in the South China Sea.

Coontz visited Bellingham, Washington; San Francisco, California; and Hilo and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii during this cruise.

This conversion included relocation of deck vents, clearing all fantail obstructions, installation of a JP-5 fuel handling and purification system, and the introduction of equipment to provide Helicopter Starting and Service power.

On 1 July 1966, three North Vietnamese torpedo boats emerged from a port and moved to attack Coontz and USS Rogers, steaming 55 miles (89 km) offshore on search and rescue operations.

[1] After completing her fourth Western Pacific route, Coontz changed operational control of Commander, First Fleet and returned to the United States 1 August 1966.

After departing Long Beach Naval Shipyard in March 1967, Coontz returned to San Diego and commenced a training and upkeep period.

In January 1971, shortly after her last Seventh Fleet tour, Coontz departed San Diego via the Panama Canal for Atlantic waters and a major overhaul and modernization at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

After extensive anti-air warfare modification, Coontz was recommissioned on 18 March 1972 and transferred to her new home port of Newport, Rhode Island.

After a six-month test period in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba and other operations in the Caribbean, Coontz sailed on a "show the flag" cruise to South America and Africa.

Following extensive training and preparation, Coontz departed on 6 July 1973 for her first deployment with the United States Sixth Fleet, operating in the Mediterranean Sea.

After a one-year regular overhaul in Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Coontz departed on 21 July 1978 for comprehensive gunnery, missile and Harpoon system qualifications and refresher training at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

Coontz participated in operations around the Eastern coast of Central America in mid 1982 making the first visit to Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles by a U.S. Navy ship in more than 13 years.

In July of that year Coontz entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a one-year regular overhaul, undergoing various configuration changes and equipment additions.

While undergoing tests, Coontz received immediate tasking and altered course to join Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada.

In November 1985, Coontz participated in Operation Bold Eagle, a joint exercise conducted with the US Army and US Air Force in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

During this time Coontz requalified her Naval Gunfire Support Team at the Vieques Island Range near Puerto Rico.

Coontz was tasked with ensuring the safe passage of all U.S. vessels as well as maintaining U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf during the escalation of the Iran–Iraq War.

During deployment in the Persian Gulf, Coontz provided firefighting teams which aided in the rescue of USS Stark and her crew after she was struck by Iraqi Exocet missiles.

On 31 March 2007, several former crew members of Coontz, Navy deputy chief of information Admiral Nathan Jones and Hannibal city officials dedicated the transom at Nipper Park.