After shakedown off the eastern coast of the United States, Preble transited the Panama Canal and arrived at San Diego on 2 September 1960.

She remained in the eastern Pacific through 1963 and on 26 February 1964 departed California for another tour of duty in the Far East, from 13 March to 20 July.

Rotated regularly to the Western Pacific over the next five years, Preble spent much of her deployed time with the 7th Fleet off the coast of Vietnam.

During these tours she served as plane guard for aircraft carriers in the Tonkin Gulf, patrolled on Search and Rescue, and bombarded enemy positions along the coast.

Clyde Everett Lassen and his crew from Helicopter Squadron 7, embarked aboard Preble, flew a hazardous mission deep into North Vietnam to rescue two downed U.S. Navy pilots.