USS Lawrence ( DD - 250 ) The fourth USS " Lawrence " ( DD - 250 ) was a " Clemson " - class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II . She was named for James Lawrence . " Lawrence " was laid down 14 August 1919 and launched 10 July 1920 by New York Shipbuilding Corporation ; sponsored by Miss Ruth Lawrence , and commissioned 18 April 1921 , Lt . Cmdr . J . E . Wellbrook in command . History . After shakedown " Lawrence " was assigned to the Destroyer Force Atlantic Fleet . Departing Newport , Rhode Island 13 June 1922 , the destroyer sailed for the Mediterranean and joined Naval Forces at Constantinople 4 July . For the next year she cruised in the eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea during the Crimean crisis . During this time of upheaval throughout the Near East and south Russia , she rendered aid to American commercial personnel , Red Cross workers , and U . S . Food Administration officials who were assisting the stricken inhabitants , " Lawrence " together with other American destroyers also evacuated thousands of Greek refugees from areas of Asia Minor which had been occupied by Turkish Forces . The destroyer returned to New York 30 October 1923 , and resumed operations with the Scouting Fleet . She departed New York 3 January 1924 to join in Army - Navy exercises which tested the defenses and facilities of the Panama Canal . In August of that year " Lawrence " was stationed off Labrador during the Army around the world flight , returning to Boston , Massachusetts in September to resume operations with the Scouting Fleet . For the next 3 years she performed reserve training cruises , maneuvers along the east coast and engaged in simulated attack exercises on the Hawaiian Islands . " Lawrence " detached from the Scouting Fleet 11 February 1927 , and sailed off the coast of Nicaragua to protect American lives and property during the Civil War then underway in that country . The destroyer departed the Nicaraguan coast 5 weeks later , and she resumed her cruising cycle with the Scouting Fleet , continuing these operations until she decommissioned at Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 6 January 1931 . " Lawrence " recommissioned 13 June 1932 , Lt . Cmdr . T . E . Downey in command , and departed Philadelphia 15 August to join the Pacific Fleet . From her arrival San Diego , California 8 September until 1938 , she operated continuously with Pacific destroyer squadrons , engaging in fleet tactical and strategic exercises along the coast and fleet problems off the Panama Canal Zone and Hawaii . She decommissioned at San Diego 13 September 1938 . World War II . Once again " Lawrence " recommissioned 26 September 1939 , Cmdr . H . D . Clarke in command , and sailed 2 months later for maneuvers and patrol in the Caribbean . Following training operations , she arrived at Boston 1 March 1940 , and later that month was assigned to the east coast sound school at New London , Connecticut . The destroyer conducted tactical exercises along the east coast until 3 December when she steamed for the Pacific . Arriving at San Francisco , California on the 27th , she was later assigned to the Sound School at San Diego , continuing these operations until America ' s declaration of war on Japan . During the early months of the war the destroyer performed convoy escort operations between San Francisco and Seattle , Washington . " Lawrence " departed San Francisco 13 August 1942 to escort a troop convoy en route to Kodiak , Alaska , arriving there 7 days later . For the next month the destroyer covered convoy approaches between Kodiak , Dutch Harbor , and Adak before returning to San Francisco 27 September . Based at Treasure Island , California for the rest of the war , " Lawrence " served on patrol and escort operations to the approaches of San Francisco Bay . On 31 May 1944 , the destroyer rescued 192 men of SS " Henry Bergh " which had grounded on the Farallon Islands , then resumed patrol and escort operations . After the war , " Lawrence " departed San Francisco 28 August 1945 , arriving Philadelphia 20 September . She decommissioned at Philadelphia 24 October 1945 and was sold to Boston Metal Company , Baltimore , Maryland , on 1 October 1946 .