The USS Crosby (DD–164), later reclassified as APD-17, was a Wickes-class destroyer built for the United States Navy, launched on September 28, 1918, by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. She was commissioned on January 24, 1919, and initially joined the Atlantic Fleet, participating in exercises at Guantanamo Bay. In May 1919, she served as a plane guard during the historic first transatlantic flight of Navy seaplanes, and by July 1919, she was reassigned to the Pacific Fleet, arriving in San Diego in August of that year. Crosby was placed in reserve in January 1920 and decommissioned in June 1922. Reactivated in December 1939, Crosby resumed operations out of San Pedro, participating in Neutrality Patrols. During this period, she was involved in a collision on April 3, 1940, which sank the fishing vessel Lone Eagle. Throughout 1940 and into World War II, Crosby provided patrol and training services within the 11th Naval District. In February 1943, Crosby was converted into a high-speed transport (reclassified as APD-17), marking a significant shift in her role. She then participated actively in the Solomon Islands campaign, including landing troops on New Georgia, the Treasury Islands, Bougainville, and later in New Guinea at locations such as Cape Gloucester and Morotai. She supported amphibious operations, convoy escort missions, and patrol duties across the Pacific theater, earning the Navy Unit Commendation for her service. Crosby took part in critical operations during the Leyte Gulf invasion, including landing troops on Suluan Island, Dinagat Island, and Ormoc Bay, as well as supporting landings at Lingayen Gulf, Nasugbu, Mariveles, and Corregidor. She also participated in the Okinawa campaign, performing antisubmarine patrols and radar picket duties, narrowly avoiding kamikaze attacks. After her extensive service, the USS Crosby was decommissioned on September 28, 1945, and sold in May 1946. She earned ten battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation for her valor and contribution during World War II. Notably, as of 2004, no other U.S. Navy ship has borne the name Crosby.

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