The USS Radford (DD-120) was a Wickes-class destroyer built for the United States Navy, launched on April 5, 1918, by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company in Virginia. She was sponsored by Ms. Mary Lovell Radford and commissioned on September 30, 1918, at Norfolk Navy Yard under the command of Lieutenant Commander Arthur S. Carpender. As a Wickes-class vessel, Radford featured the typical design characteristics of the class, designed for rapid speed and versatility during World War I. Initially assigned to the Atlantic Fleet's Destroyer Force, Radford departed Norfolk on October 12, 1918, for a shakedown cruise to Melville, Rhode Island. Soon after, she participated in escort duties, notably convoying Troop Convoy 76 from Newport News to New York City and onward to European waters. Her early service included operations along the U.S. East Coast and a cruise to Cuba in January 1919, where she operated out of Guantanamo Bay, visiting Guacanayabo Bay and Santiago before returning north in March 1919. In July 1919, Radford was reassigned to the Pacific Fleet, departing Hampton Roads for the Canal Zone and California, arriving at San Diego on August 7. She operated along the West Coast from Mare Island, San Diego, and San Pedro, engaging in training exercises and squadron maneuvers with units like Division 12 and Squadron 10, Destroyer Flotilla 4. Her port calls included Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham, and Portland between 1919 and 1920. Radford was redesignated as AG-22 in April 1932 with plans for conversion into a mobile target vessel, but this conversion was never carried out. She reverted to her original designation, DD-120, in June 1932. The destroyer was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in May 1936 and was ultimately sunk on August 5, 1936, in accordance with the London Naval Treaty, marking the end of her service. Her operational history reflects the typical trajectory of early 20th-century destroyers, serving in both Atlantic and Pacific theaters before being retired due to treaty limitations.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.