USS Robert Smith (DD-324) - History

History

Robert Smith, a steel, flush-deck destroyer, was launched 19 September 1919 at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California; sponsored by Miss Jane Cooper; and commissioned 17 March 1921, Lieutenant Commander Paul M. Bates in command.

Departing San Francisco 5 April 1921, Robert Smith headed for her homeport, San Diego, California, to commence operations as flagship, Division 45, 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The destroyer cruised along the west coast of the United States and Mexico with the Battle Force, Pacific Fleet, into 1925, assigned to Destroyer Division 35 from September 1922. She conducted extensive gunnery, torpedo, and practice exercises, undergoing annual overhauls at Mare Island Navy Yard. The ship departed Mare Island 19 May 1925 for a cruise with units of the Battle Force. After taking part in maneuvers off Lahaina Roads, Robert Smith departed Pearl Harbor 1 July for Pago Pago, Samoa; Melbourne, Australia; Lyttelton and Wellington, New Zealand; and Tutuila, Samoa, returning to Pearl Harbor on 18 September.

Back at San Diego 26 September 1925, Robert Smith resumed her schedule of duties as a unit assigned to the Destroyer Force, Pacific Fleet. She transited the Panama Canal in April 1927, steaming north to Tompkinsville, New York, before returning south to operate in Panamanian waters during July. Robert Smith cruised along the southern California coast subsequently into 1928, deploying to the Hawaiian Islands in May 1928 and again in July. Operating into 1929 in Mexican and Californian waters, Robert Smith returned to San Diego 28 August 1929 for inactivation.