Richard S. Edwards served as plane guard for 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 and underwent an ASW modernization at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard between 27 February 1970 and 15 January 1971.

There were no injuries aboard the Edwards because of the quick action of Third Class Boatswains Mate, Lionel Sepulveda, a 12-year veteran, anticipating the imminent collision, announced over the PA system that all personnel clear the port side.

The collision damage is the reason the ship had to enter the Naval Shipyard at Terminal Island, Long Beach California, the Edwards then went to its homeport, San Diego.

Edwards was about two days out of Pearl Harbor when she received a distress signal from a seagoing tug that had been towing an aircraft carrier to Japan to be scrapped.

The aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard also on the scene, Edwards was tasked with rescuing the crew from the tug.

She then deployed to the Western Pacific area where she operated with the fast carrier units of the 7th Fleet, and as a member of the U.S. Taiwan Patrol Force.

Richard S. Edwards commenced her third WestPac cruise 13 November 1962 for fast carrier operations throughout the western Pacific, returning home in June 1963.

During this deployment Edwards and USS Morton engaged North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Tonkin Gulf on 18 September, probably sinking several.

Receiving only 72 hours notice, Edwards sailed from Pearl Harbor 10 April 1972 for the western Pacific and deployment off the Vietnamese coast.