While in Hong Kong, "Theodore E. Chandler" was detached from TG 77.4 and ordered back to Subic Bay for shore bombardment training. In January 1966, the ship returned to the coast of South Vietnam and rendered naval gunfire support for the troops operating ashore. On one occasion, the destroyer brought her 5-inch guns to bear on Viet Cong forces staging a major attack on Allied troops and received credit for thwarting the guerrillas. In mid-January, she completed her assignment in the Far East and headed back to the United States.