USS Dallas (DD-199) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the second ship named for Captain Alexander J. Dallas, and was later renamed Alexander Dallas. Construction and commissioning Dallas was launched on 31 May 1919 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company; sponsored by Miss W. D. Strong, great granddaughter of Captain Dallas; and commissioned on 29 October 1920. Service history Pre-World War II Dallas operated on the United States East Coast, participating in exercises and maneuvers from her base at Charleston, South Carolina. She arrived at Philadelphia on 12 April 1922 and was decommissioned there on 26 June. Recommissioned on 14 April 1925, Dallas served with various destroyer squadrons, acting as flagship for Squadrons 9, 7, and 1. Until 1931, she cruised along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean, engaging in gunnery exercises, battle torpedo practice, fleet maneuvers, and fleet problems; participating in joint United States Army-U.S. Navy exercises; training members of the United States Naval Reserve; and serving as experimental ship at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island. On 9 January 1932, Dallas departed Charleston, South Carolina, bound for the United States West Coast, arriving at San Diego, California, on 21 March 1932. She operated along the U.S. West Coast and in the Hawaiian Islands, conducting force practice and tactical exercises and participating in combined fleet exercises. Dallas departed San Diego on 9 April 1934 for the Presidential Review of the Fleet in June 1934 at New York City and tactical exercises on the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean. Returning to San Diego on 9 November 1934, Dallas continued to operate in the Pacific Ocean until 1938, cruising to Hawaii and Alaska. Dallas operated in the Panama Canal Zone area between May and November 1938, visiting ports of the Republic of Panama; rendering service to Submarine Squadron 3; and making a good-will call at Buenaventura, Colombia. On 17 November 1938 she weighed anchor for the U.S. East Coast, arriving at Philadelphia on 23 November 1938. She again was placed out of commission on 23 March 1939. World War II With the outbreak of World War II in Europe on 1 September 1939, Dallas was recommissioned on 25 September 1939 and assigned to the United States Atlantic Fleet, serving as flagship for Destroyer Squadrons 41 and 30. She patrolled along the U.S. East Coast and