USS Dorsey (DD–117), reclassified DMS-1 on 19 November 1940, was a in the United States Navy during World War I. She was named for John Dorsey. Dorsey was launched on 9 April 1918 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, sponsored by Mrs. A. Means, distant relative of Midshipman Dorsey. The destroyer was commissioned on 16 September 1918, Commander G. F. Neal in command. Service history Dorsey sailed with a merchant convoy from Philadelphia on 20 September 1918, escorted it to Ireland, and returned to New York on 19 October. Between 28 October and 20 November, she voyaged on escort duty to the Azores, then operated locally out of New York until 13 January 1919 when she got underway for target practice and fleet maneuvers in Cuban waters, returning 2 March. Three days later she sailed to escort with President Woodrow Wilson embarked as far as the Azores, returning to Guantánamo Bay 21 March to join the fleet for maneuvers. Dorsey sailed from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba on 9 April 1919, and arrived at Valletta, Malta on 26 April to report to Commander, Adriatic Squadron, for duty in the execution of the terms of the armistice with Austria. She served in the Mediterranean Sea until 9 July when she proceeded to New York arriving on 21 July. Dorsey sailed from New York with her division on 17 September 1919 for the west coast, arriving at San Diego on 12 October. She joined in fleet maneuvers in the Panama Canal Zone and operated with seaplanes at Valparaíso, Chile, until clearing San Diego on 25 June 1921 to join the Asiatic Fleet. Dorsey arrived at Cavite, Philippine Islands on 24 August 1921, and served in experimental submarine practice and long-range battle and torpedo practice. On 3 June 1922, she sailed from Manila to call at Shanghai and Chefoo, China, Nagasaki, Japan, and Pearl Harbor on her passage to San Francisco where she arrived on 2 October. She was placed out of commission at San Diego on 9 March 1923. Recommissioned on 1 March 1930, Dorsey operated on the west coast, in the Canal Zone, and in the Hawaiian Islands acting as plane guard for aircraft carriers and participating in tactical maneuvers with the fleet. In reserve from 10 to 29 June 1935, she then entered Mare Island Navy Yard for the installation of gear for her new assignment as a high-speed towing vessel. Dorsey