Perry was laid down 15 September 1920 at the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California; launched 29 October 1921; sponsored by Miss Anne R. Scudder; and commissioned 7 August 1922.

Squadron, fleet and joint Army–Navy–Coast Guard exercises in the eastern Pacific, the Caribbean and the western Atlantic filled her schedule for the next decade.

For the next five months she patrolled in Hawaiian waters, then in October, entered the naval shipyard at Pearl Harbor for conversion to a high speed minesweeper.

In late spring, she sailed back to San Diego, whence, on 1 July, she departed to escort USS Arizona to Pearl Harbor.

For the next year, until after the retaking of Kiska, 15 August 1943, Perry performed minesweeping and rescue missions and escorted troop and supply convoys in the foggy waters of the north Pacific.

She departed that atoll five days later, escorted troopships to Nouméa, conducted sweeping operations in the Solomons, and then, on 3 April, sailed with MinRon 2 for New Guinea.

Perry remained in New Guinea waters until 6 May, when she steamed east to rejoin the 5th Fleet in the Solomons and prepare for the invasion of the Marianas.

Assigned to TG 51.17, Perry arrived off Saipan and commenced sweeping operations 13 June, under cover from the battleships of TF 58.

Completing sweeping operations the following day, she resumed screening duties in the forward area, maintaining as much protection as possible for the transports off the assault beaches through the landings and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.