Ammen was laid down on 29 March 1910 by the New York Shipbuilding Company, Camden, New Jersey; launched on 20 September 1910; sponsored by Miss Ethel C. Andrews; and commissioned at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 23 May 1911.

Upon the outbreak of World War I in Europe in 1914, Ammen began neutrality patrols and escort duty along the east coast.

When she returned to the United States, the destroyer entered the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 6 May to be fitted out for overseas service.

After the arrival of the convoy at St. Nazaire on 2 July, Ammen proceeded to Queenstown, Ireland, and was attached to American naval forces based there.

The ship carried out convoy escort duty between Ireland and France, patrolled off the Irish coast for enemy submarines, and went to the aid of vessels in distress.