As USS John Rodgers
She was named for John Rodgers (1772-1838), his son, John Rodgers (1812-1882) and his great grandson, John Rodgers (1881-1926).
Rodgers was laid down as Kalk 25 September 1918 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation; renamed Rodgers 23 December 1918; launched 26 April 1919; sponsored by Miss Helen T. Rodgers, granddaughter of Commodore John Rodgers; and commissioned 22 July 1919, Lieutenant Commander A. M. Steckel in command.
Rodgers served with Division 28, Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet, until the spring of 1922 when she steamed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for inactivation. Decommissioned 20 July of that year, she remained in reserve until after the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
Rodgers, recommissioned 18 December 1939, again served briefly with the Atlantic Fleet, and in October 1940 moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia where she joined other destroyers being transferred to the United Kingdom in exchange for bases in the Western Hemisphere.
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