The Vietnam War occurred from 1959 to April 30, 1975 in Vietnam. The war was fought between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) and the United States-supported Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The result of the war was defeat of the Southern and American forces, and unification of Vietnam under the communist government of the North.

The U.S. deployed large numbers of troops to South Vietnam between 1954 and 1973. U.S. allies also contributed forces. U.S. military advisers first became involved in Vietnam in 1950, assisting French colonial forces. In 1956, these advisers assumed full responsibility for training the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. President Kennedy increased America's troop numbers from 500 to 16,000. In addition large numbers of combat troops were dispatched by President Lyndon Johnson beginning in 1965. Almost all U.S. military personnel left Vietnam after the Paris Peace Accords of 1973. The last American troops left Vietnam on April 30, 1975.

During this period U.S.S. Little Rock was deployed on the U.S. East Coast (North Atlantic, Atlantic, and Caribbean) and in the Mediterranean Sea. However, during that time many of LITTLE ROCK's crew received assignments that took them to SE Asia. Including Boatswain's Mate James Elliott Williams, who as a result of his exploits in Vietnam, became the most highly decorated enlisted man in the history of the U.S. Navy.

Little Rock's sister ship USS Galveston CLG3 was deployed to and saw action in Vietnam, as did several other guided missile cruisers.