Between 1965 and 1970, Dale's Seventh Fleet tours included participation in Vietnam War operations, during which she rescued several American aviators in the Gulf of Tonkin.

[2] On 10 November 1970 Dale was decommissioned and began modernization at Bath, Maine[citation needed] to increase flexibility in combat systems.

This work fitted her with the Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) and other improvements that enhanced her anti-air and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

When recommissioned on 11 December 1971, Dale was assigned to Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet and homeported in Newport, Rhode Island.

In October 1975, Dale deployed to the Mediterranean, participating successfully in several national and multinational exercises and earning praise from Commander, Sixth Fleet and Commander-in-Chief, U.S.

[2] In June 1978, Dale deployed to the Mediterranean, participating successfully in several national and multinational exercises returning home February 1979.

While in the Indian Ocean the vessel made port visits to Karachi, Pakistan; Trincomalee, Sri Lanka; and, Mombasa, Kenya.

[citation needed] Dale received an extensive overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard which included the New Threat Upgrade combat systems enhancement.

Dale deployed with the USS America (CV-66) battle group to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean on 11 May 1989 and returned to Mayport 10 November 1989.

[4] Dale spent much of her final years of service on counter-narcotics patrols in the Caribbean area, and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as on regular cruises with the Sixth Fleet.

Then on 13 January 2000, an F/A-18 Hornet pilot fired a tactical SLAM-ER[6] and made a direct hit to the forward starboard side of the ship.