 The ship got underway on 3 March for Nassau, Bahamas, and a Bicentennial port visit, returning to New Orleans on 17 March.Two months later, the destroyer returned to Mayport, Florida, for four weeks of tender availability prior to a Caribbean deployment.On 12 June 1976, "William C. Lawe" got underway for Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and, after routine exercises, returned to New Orleans, Louisiana, on 30 June via Mayport, Florida.