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.
The Patterson ship was built by Avondale Shipyard in Westwego, Louisiana, and commissioned on March 14, 1970. She underwent shakedown training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, before making her maiden voyage to Northern Europe in June and August of 1971.