She was launched 19 September 1919 at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California; sponsored by Miss Jane Cooper; and commissioned 17 March 1921.

She conducted extensive gunnery, torpedo, and practice exercises, undergoing annual overhauls at Mare Island Navy Yard.

Back at San Diego 26 September 1925, Robert Smith resumed her schedule of duties as a unit assigned to the Destroyer Force, Pacific Fleet.

She transited the Panama Canal in April 1927, steaming north to Tompkinsville, New York, before returning south to operate in Panamanian waters during July.

Struck from the Navy list 12 July 1930 and dismantled, Robert Smith's materials were sold 10 June 1931 for scrapping in accordance with the provisions of the London Treaty for the limitation and reduction of naval armament.