On 16 February 1804 he took part in Stephen Decatur's expedition into Tripoli harbor during the First Barbary War which burned the USS Philadelphia following her capture by the Tripolitanians.

[citation needed] During the bombardment of Nauru Island (8 December 1943) Boyd was damaged by a Japanese shore battery while on a rescue mission for a US plane that had been shot and made an emergency landing into the water.

This strike severed at least one 600 pound high pressure, 850-degree superheated steam line, and also destroyed one of the ship's two power distribution boards.

After taking part in the Battle for Leyte Gulf (24–25 October) she screened the carriers launching strikes against Luzon (5–6, 13–14, and 19–25 November).

One of the first vessels to return to the United States after the Japanese surrender, Boyd departed Okinawa 7 September and underwent overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard (25 September–28 November).

She remained there, serving with TF 77 and on the Formosa Strait Patrol, until returning to San Diego 21 December 1951.

After the end of the Korean fighting Boyd continued operations along the west coast and made three Far Eastern tours.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.