2000s
On 19 November 2003, the frigate became the first US warship to enter Vietnamese waters in 30 years, when she made a four-day port call at Ho Chi Minh City.
The ship's decorations include the Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal, and five Sea Service Ribbons.
As of 2006, Vandegrift is based in San Diego, California.
As of November 3, 2012 Cmdr. Joseph E. Darlak, skipper of the USS Vandegrift, was removed by Capt. John L. Schultz after an investigation "due to loss of confidence after demonstrating poor leadership and failure to ensure the proper conduct of his wardroom officers" during a three-day September stop in Vladivostok as per a US Navy statement.
Read more about this topic: USS Vandegrift (FFG-48)