The ship was laid down on 15 September 1941 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey, was launched on 20 March 1942 (sponsored by Mrs. Sidney F. Tyler II, Lardner's great-granddaughter), and was commissioned 13 May 1942.

While Lardner was serving in the screen for Task Force 18 steaming from the Santa Cruz Islands to Espiritu Santo, aircraft carrier Wasp was torpedoed and sunk 15 September.

Lardner operated in Hawaiian waters until sailing 14 July for the United States, escorting the aircraft carrier Enterprise to Bremerton, Washington.

On 14 February, Lardner sailed north with TF 38 to cover initial landings on Green Island, and on the way was attacked by six Aichi D3A "Val" dive bombers.

During March and April, Lardner operated with support forces for the Palaus raid, and with escort carriers during the landing at Hollandia, New Guinea.

In June and July 1944, Lardner participated in the occupation of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian; escorted carriers on the first Bonin Islands raid; and joined in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

While investigating an unidentified small craft, Lardner ran aground on a submerged shoal on 9 January 1945 and proceeded to Ulithi for repairs.

Lardner operated with several task groups and units performing varied occupation duties until 15 October when she departed Honshu with TG 50.5 for home.

On the homeward voyage, she touched at Singapore, Ceylon, Cape Town, and Saldanha Bay, South Africa, before arriving New York on 7 December 1945.

On 21 November 1982, the ship was sunk as a target in the Eastern Mediterranean by the cruiser Biddle, frigates Julius A. Furer, Truett, and aircraft from CVW-6.