After spending her first year in shakedown and training cruises along the east coast and in the Caribbean, Blue sailed for the Pacific in August 1938 to become flagship of Destroyer Division 7, Battle Force.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941 caught Blue in port, but she safely made her way to sea with only four ensigns on board.

During March–June 1942 Blue escorted convoys between Pearl Harbor and San Francisco and then proceeded to Wellington, New Zealand, where she arrived 18 July.

Blue joined Task Group 62.2 (TG 62.2) for the Battle of Guadalcanal on 7 August, providing fire-support and screening.

The explosion wrecked Blue's main engines, shafts, and steering gear, as well as killing nine men and wounding 21.