Assigned to the Atlantic Squadron, Lamson operated along the East Coast and in the Caribbean from 1910 until 1916 participating in torpedo exercises, fleet maneuvers and coastal patrol.

Departing Key West on 7 May 1916, the destroyer made the Dominican Republic two days later to support the Marines sent by President Wilson to protect American interests during the Dominican revolt. She returned to Key West in mid-June before sailing on the 28th for Vera Cruz. She joined other American ships in Mexican waters, as the Mexican political situation was still in turmoil. Following her return to Key West on 11 July, Lamson operated along the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico until the United States entered World War I.

During the early months of the war Lamson patrolled the coastline before preparing for oversea service. Arriving at Ponta Delgada, Azores on 26 July 1917, she conducted escort and patrol duty for the next three months. On 6 October, Lamson departed the Azores for escort operations out of Brest, France. She assisted survivors of Finland on 28 October after the merchant ship had been torpedoed by a German submarine.

For the rest of the war, Lamson continued escort and patrol operations and aided in the victory of Allied forces by neutralizing the German U-boat threat to convoys. After the Armistice Lamson departed Brest on 11 December 1918 and arrived Charleston, South Carolina on 31 December. She decommissioned on 15 July 1919 and was sold on 21 November 1919.

Source: Naval History & Heritage Command including Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.