 On 1 January 1962, the ship became a member of Destroyer Squadron 16 (Desron 16), also homeported at Mayport, Florida In early March, "William C. Lawe" deployed to the Mediterranean where she participated in numerous NATO and 6th Fleet operations.On 2 October 1962, the destroyer returned to Mayport for an anticipated "at home" period after almost seven months at sea.However, the Cuban missile crisis intervened; and, on 22 October, the ship headed for the Caribbean, returning to her home port on 6 December.