[1] Hoel served as plane guard for aircraft carriers on Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, participated in Sea Dragon operations, patrolled on Search and rescue duties and carried out Naval Gunfire Support missions during the Vietnam War.

After fitting out at Boston, Hoel got underway for her first homeport, San Diego, putting in at Norfolk, Virginia; Mayport and Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Guantanamo Bay; Cartagena, Colombia; Canal Zone; and Acapulco, Mexico, during the voyage.

During the passage from Cartagena to the Canal Zone she came upon sailing yacht Stardrift becalmed and adrift en route to Sydney, Australia, from London.

When successful firing of ASROC and Tartar missiles completed her qualification and acceptance trials, Hoel joined the ready 1st Fleet.

[1] The months of July, August, and part of September were spent at Long Beach Naval Shipyard for the post-shakedown availability assigned each new ship approximately 1 year after commissioning.

Hoel departed Long Beach on 17 October 1963 for duty in the Western Pacific to serve as the flagship of Commander Destroyer Division 12.

Hoel retired to Hong Kong 21 December but headed for Yankee Station the day after Christmas to screen the aircraft carrier Coral Sea.

[1] On 19 October 1987, Hoel was one of 4 ships participating in Operation Nimble Archer, destroying 2 militarized oil platforms in the Persian Gulf.

Twenty minutes before the surface action group opened fire, USS Thach radioed the platforms, telling the crews to abandon them.