Du Pont sailed from Newport 6 May 1919 to patrol off the Azores during the historic first transatlantic airplane flight, made by Navy seaplanes, then visited Brest, France, before returning to New York 15 June.

Returning to New York 21 July 1920, she was placed in reserve and operated with 50 percent of her complement in training duty along the Atlantic coast until placed out of commission at Philadelphia 19 April 1922.

She left Charleston, South Carolina, 15 September, served as target vessel and plane guard in the Caribbean, then arrived at San Diego 9 November.

Based there she served in training and tactical development with the fleet, cruising to Alaskan waters and Pearl Harbor on a problem during 29 April 1935 – 10 June 1935.

The destroyer sailed on 9 June for New York in the escort for Card, rescuing four men from downed aircraft during hunter-killer operations en route.

Du Pont shared in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the Bogue task group for distinguished success in operations against submarines.

After overhaul and refresher training, Du Pont put into Charleston Navy Yard 16 September 1944 to undergo conversion to an auxiliary vessel.

Reclassified AG-80, 25 September 1944, she sailed from Charleston 9 October and arrived at Key West 2 days later to act as target ship for Fleet Air Wing 5.

In addition to the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to TG 21.13, Du Pont received three battle stars for World War II service.