Crane was launched on 4 July 1918 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California; sponsored by Mrs. M. McGuire; and commissioned on 18 April 1919.

She sailed for duty in European waters on 5 June, visiting ports in England and France and joining the escort for George Washington carrying President Woodrow Wilson to the peace conference.

Returning to New York on 27 July, Crane was assigned to the Pacific Fleet, and arrived at San Francisco on 1 September.

She continued patrols and provided training for naval reservists and armed guard crews until the outbreak of World War II.

Crane remained on the west coast on anti-submarine patrol, local escort duty, training exercises, and screening duty for amphibious exercises until 22 April 1944, when she was assigned to the West Coast Sound Training School.