 At this time, "William C. Lawe" was placed in "Reduced Operational Status", and she spent the remainder of 1968 in Mayport, Florida

The ship continued in reduced operational status for the first five months of 1969.On 7 July, "William C. Lawe" left Mayport en route to Newport, Rhode Island, for repairs.She returned to Mayport on 19 July and began preparations for refresher training and inspections in the Caribbean which were completed in early October.