On 3 January 1966, after spending the Christmas Holidays in Sasebo, Japan, BENNER got underway as a part of TG 70.4.

On 5 January, BENNER was assigned by CTG 70.4 to shadow the Russian Destroyers 045 and 010, which were operating in Philippine waters. The shadowing operation no doubt cancelled any Russian plans to conduct warm weather ASW operations and ended for BENNER on 13 January. BENNER was released to proceed to Koahsiung, Taiwan.

Upon arrival at Koashiung on 14 January, BENNER became CTU 72.1 and commenced her second tour of Taiwan Patrol. Each patrol usually lasted four to five days with BENNER and another destroyer alternating at-sea periods. During the patrols the weather was heavy enough to cause considerable minor damage to the superstructure. On 9 February, BENNER departed Taiwan Patrol for Yokosuka, Japan.

After arriving at Yokosuka, an underwater hull inspection indicated damage to the sonar dome. BENNER entered dry-dock #4 on the 16th for repairs.

On the 18th. with repairs completed, BENNER began her passage to Long Beach. After a refueling stop at Midway, the uneventful transit was completed on the 3rd of March.

Six weeks of much-needed leave and upkeep in Long Beach followed. Then leaving Long Beach on 13 April, BENNER arrived at Hunter's Point Division, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard for a regular three-month overhaul. Among the changes incorporated was the extension of the ECM capability.

On 19 July, BENNER returned to Long Beach.

From 4 August to 9 August, BENNER, as part of ASWGRUONE, participated in HUKASWEX 6-66 with the USS BENNINGTON (CVS 20).

On 12 August, CDR R. C. MAURER relieved CDR R. J. TRIBBLE to become the ships fifteenth commanding officer.

BENNER then underwent six weeks of intensive refresher training in San Diego, California, commencing 15 August. After returning to Long Beach, the BENNER participated in HUKASWEX 7-66 from 3 October to 13 October. Upon completion of this exercise, BENNER returned to Long Beach where she completed final preparation for her 66-67 WESTPAC Cruise.

After leaving Long Beach, 4 November, BENNER participated in HUKASWEX 8-66/ORE from 8 November to 15 November. As a result of this exercise, she was awarded the "Golden Plunger Award" for "sinking" the USS PLUNGER (SSN). BENNER remained in Pearl Harbor after the completion of the exercise until 28 November.

On 28 November, BENNER got underway for Yokosuka, Japan, as a part of ASWGRUONE. On 30 November, BENNER celebrated her 22nd birthday with a barbeque cookout on the fantail.

On 1 December, BENNER crossed the International Date Line at 26-30 N entering the realm of the Golden Dragon. Several days later on the third, two Russian Rear aircraft were detected conducting surveillance of the Task Group. On 8 December, the ship arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, and departed on 13 December for Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin.

While enroute to Yankee Station, BENNER refueled at Buckner Bay, Okinawa, and participated in an ASW exercise, Operation Slew foot, from 16 to 17 December. On 20 December, BENNER participated in an abortive SAR mission to recover the crew of an FAB.

On 24 December, BENNER was assigned to CTU 77.1.1 conducting interdiction of waterborne Logistic Craft along the coast of North Vietnam as part of Operation Sea Dragon. COMDESDIV 232 broke his flag aboard BENNER and assumed CTU 77.1.1. BENNER's patrol area was 5 miles off the coast between 17 20'N to 17 56'N. During this patrol in Operation Sea Dragon, BENNER was replacement for the O'BRIEN (DD 725), which had been damaged by shore batteries.

BENNER spent Christmas Day patrolling along the North Vietnamese Coast and went to General Quarters at 2300 when enemy batteries fired on friendly Reconnaissance aircraft. The ship, however, did not return the fire. During the two-day truce from 0700 24 December to 0700 26 December, the enemy took advantage of the cessation of hostilities and moved an almost continuous stream of waterborne logistic craft southward. Surface Search radar showed an unbroken line of craft between the mouths of the Song Giang and Hun Giang Rivers at midnight on 25 December. At the end of the truce, BENNER was unable to find any craft which had not disappeared into one of the many small inlets along the coast until 30 December when several beached craft were taken under fire.