Swallow was laid down at New York City on 18 March 1918 by the Todd Shipyard Corp.; launched on Independence Day 1918; sponsored by Miss Sara V. Brereton; and commissioned on 8 October 1918.

Following commissioning, Swallow underwent minor adjustments and prepared for foreign service.

The minesweeper returned to the United States late in 1919 and put into the navy yard at Charleston, South Carolina, for overhaul and repairs.

For the next 18 years, Swallow operated along the northwestern Pacific coast of North America, spending much of her time in Alaskan waters.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.