The first USS Jarvis (DD-38) was a modified Paulding-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I.

Jarvis was laid down by the New York Shipbuilding Company, Camden, New Jersey on 1 July 1911; launched on 4 April 1912; sponsored by Mrs. Jean King; and commissioned on 22 October 1912.

Arriving in Queenstown, Ireland, via St. Nazaire, France on 11 June, she commenced patrol and escort duty along the Irish and English coasts.

While not credited with sinking any U-boats, on two occasions Jarvis rescued crews of ships torpedoed by enemy submarines.

Jarvis operated out of Queenstown until 15 February 1918, when she sailed to Brest, France to guard Allied shipping along the French coast.