USS Schofield (FFG-3) was a Brooke-class frigate laid down on 15 April 1963 by the Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Co., Seattle, Washington and launched on 7 December 1963.

A week later, she put into Subic Bay; then, after upkeep, she joined other 7th Fleet units in Operation Sea Spirit, a combined SEATO exercise terminated on 3 June following the collision of USS Frank E. Evans and HMAS Melbourne.

On the 6th, she departed the area and headed for Japan where she participated in a joint United States Navy-Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force exercise; then, toward the end of the month, she again set a course for the South China Sea.

On 22 August, she returned to Subic Bay; and, in early September, she moved north for patrol duty in the Taiwan Strait.

On the night of the 8th, she steamed to the assistance of USS Warbler caught in heavy seas 70 nautical miles (130 km) away and unable to transfer fuel to her engine.

Three days later, Schofield continued north to Japan; participated in Hunter-killer Group exercises; then sailed for Hong Kong, where, for two weeks, she served as a station ship.

Early on the morning of the 9th, the exercises with her squadron and USS Hornet were interrupted to assist a merchant tanker, SS|Connecticut, reported being sinking approximately 200 nautical miles (370 km) away.

En route to the scene, Schofield refuelled Hornet helicopters delivering rescue personnel and equipment to the tanker.

During the exercise, Schofield added mothership duties for the experimental hydrofoil, USS High Point, to her helicopter inflight refuelling, plane guard, and escort responsibilities.

After repairs at Yokosuka, Schofield participated in the first major United States task force exercise in the Sea of Japan in several years; then, on 17 June, she sailed for home.

After brief stops at Pearl Harbor, Midway Island, Guam, and Subic Bay, she joined TU 77.0.1 in the Tonkin Gulf on 8 October.

She returned to Yankee Station on 13 February and learned that, due to the cessation of hostilities, her WestPac deployment was to be reduced by one month.