USS Crosby (DD–164) was a in the United States Navy during World War II, later reclassified as APD-17. She was named for Admiral Peirce Crosby. Construction and commissioning Crosby was launched on 28 September 1918 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, sponsored by Mrs. C. Tittman. The ship was commissioned on 24 January 1919. Service history After commissioning, Crosby reported to the Atlantic Fleet. She joined in exercises in Guantanamo Bay until sailing for Trepassey Bay, Newfoundland in May 1919, to serve as plane guard during the historic flight of Navy seaplanes, the first aerial crossing of the Atlantic. On 1 July 1919, Crosby was assigned to the Pacific Fleet, and a week later she sailed from New York for San Diego, arriving on 7 August. She visited Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, then was placed in reserve status with reduced complement at San Diego on 30 January 1920. She continued in reserve and was decommissioned on 7 June 1922. World War II Recommissioned on 18 December 1939, Crosby sailed on Neutrality Patrol out of San Pedro on 1 April 1940. On 3 April she collided with, and sank, the fishing vessel Lone Eagle off Point Arguello, California. On 1 July 1940, she was assigned to the 11th Naval District Defense Forces, and after a reserve training cruise resumed her patrols and provided services to Destroyer Base, San Diego for the training of destroyer crews. With the entry of the United States into the war, Crosby continued to patrol the waters of the 11th Naval District and to escort convoys locally until 1 February 1943 when she entered Mare Island Navy Yard for conversion to a high-speed transport. She was reclassified APD-17 on 22 February 1943. Clearing San Francisco on 27 February 1943, Crosby sailed by way of Pearl Harbor, Samoa, Viti Levu, and Noumea to Espiritu Santo, arriving on 27 March for training exercises with the 4th Marines. Beginning the active service which was to bring her a Navy Unit Commendation, Crosby sailed on 29 April for Guadalcanal as a transport screen. She made two similar voyages until 6 June, and then reported for patrol and escort duty in the Solomons. Crosby aided in the consolidation of the Solomons, landing troops on New Georgia between 30 June and 5 July; on the Treasury Islands under heavy gunfire on 27 October; and on Bougainville on 6