As USS Bancroft
Named for George Bancroft, she was launched 21 March 1919 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts, sponsored by Miss Mary W. Bancroft, great granddaughter of George Bancroft; and commissioned 30 June 1919, Lieutenant Commander H. S. Haislip in command.
Bancroft joined the Atlantic Fleet and took part in fleet training activities until 26 November 1919 when she went into reserve commission. She was placed out of commission at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 11 July 1922.
Bancroft was recommissioned 18 December 1939 and served with the Atlantic Squadron on the east coast until decommissioned at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and transferred to Great Britain in the destroyer-land bases exchange 24 September 1940.
Read more about this topic: USS Bancroft (DD-256)