Patterson was built at Westwego, Louisiana by Avondale Shipyard. She was commissioned on 14 March 1970, conducted shakedown training out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in June and August 1971 made her first overseas deployment, a trip to northern Europe.
Patterson was constructed at Westwego, Louisiana by Avondale Shipyard. She was commissioned on 14 March 1970, underwent shakedown training out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in June and August 1971 made her first overseas deployment, a journey to northern Europe.