Proceeding to Yankee Station, "Waller" joined "Intrepid" (CVS-11) for attack carrier escort duties and upon this carrier's departure, joined (CVA-61) to conduct similar missions After 109 consecutive days of this duty, the veteran destroyer started for home on 2 March 1969. Although originally slated to become a Naval Reserve training ship on the east coast, after an extensive inspection "Waller" was decommissioned and struck from the Navy list on 15 July 1969. She was authorized to be disposed of, as a target, on 2 February 1970; she was sunk off Rhode Island, 17 June 1970.