At 1410 on 3 February 1966, "Waddell" was notified that a pilot was possibly downed in their vicinity. While proceeding to investigate, the ship noted "surface action" to port and commenced shore bombardment at 1501. Communist guns replied 14 minutes later. "Waddell" then trained her guns on the communist batteries. At 1545, while still shelling the communist gun positions, "Waddell" was straddled by the enemy guns which had found the range. Radical maneuvers enabled the destroyer to retire without damage, and she emerged from the action unscathed.