[citation needed] After training cruises during the summer of 1920, Hatfield departed Brooklyn 6 September 1920 for Key West, Florida, and continued her exercises along the Atlantic coast for the remainder of 1920.

[1] During early 1922, Hatfield operated from Charleston, South Carolina, and on 2 October departed for the Mediterranean to join the U.S. detachment in Turkish waters where she remained on patrol duty until 31 July 1923, visiting many ports including Smyrna, Jaffa, Beirut, Rhodes, and Varna.

In the uncertain early months of the Pacific war, Hatfield convoyed merchant ships to Alaskan ports, helping to carry the supplies necessary to establish bases in the North.

[1] Hatfield performed antisubmarine duties off Seattle until August and entered Puget Sound Navy Yard in September for conversion to a target-towing vessel.

For the remainder of her commissioned service, Hatfield operated out of Port Angeles, Washington, and San Diego, carrying out the prosaic but necessary duty of towing targets for aircraft bombing practice.

Hatfield decommissioned 13 December 1946, ending 26 years of service, and was sold for scrap to National Metal and Steel Corporation, Terminal Island, Los Angeles, California.