Crosby was launched on 28 September 1918 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, sponsored by Mrs. C. Tittman.

With the entry of the United States into the war, Crosby continued to patrol the waters of the 11th Naval District and to escort convoys locally until 1 February 1943 when she entered Mare Island Navy Yard for conversion to a high-speed transport.

Clearing San Francisco on 27 February 1943, Crosby sailed by way of Pearl Harbor, Samoa, Viti Levu, and Noumea to Espiritu Santo, arriving on 27 March for training exercises with the 4th Marines.

Beginning the active service which was to bring her a Navy Unit Commendation, Crosby sailed on 29 April for Guadalcanal as a transport screen.

Crosby aided in the consolidation of the Solomons, landing troops on New Georgia between 30 June and 5 July; on the Treasury Islands under heavy gunfire on 27 October; and on Bougainville on 6 and 17 November.

Crosby arrived at Okinawa on 18 April and for antisubmarine patrol and radar picket duty, narrowly escaping damage from a kamikaze on 13 May.

In addition to her Navy Unit Commendation, Crosby earned 10 battle stars for World War II service.