On 11 March 1971, "Meyerkord" departed Long Beach, California on her first Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment, as part of Anti-Submarine Warfare Group Three. Upon her entry into the Southeast Asia combat zone on 3 April 1971, "Meyerkord" became the first ship named after an American serviceman killed in the Vietnam War to return to act in a supporting role. She participated in an ASW exercise in the Indian Ocean with the ASW group. "Meyerkord" returned to Long Beach in July 1971.