Following a short cruise to Cuba, the destroyer was placed out of commission at the Norfolk Navy Yard and remained inactive for more than a year. She was recommissioned on 25 May 1915 and assigned to the Sixth Division, Torpedo Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet. The ship then cruised along the East Coast carrying out routine patrols.

During the early months of 1917, Aylwin sailed to Cuban waters for winter maneuvers and returned to the Virginia Capes area upon America’s entry into World War I. From June 1917 to January 1918, the destroyer participated in special experimental work while operating out of Boston and Newport, Rhode Island.

On 4 January 1918, Aylwin sailed for Queenstown, Ireland and began patrolling out of that port. Shortly thereafter, however, she was detached to join British forces operating from Portsmouth and Devonport, England in conducting antisubmarine patrols.

Aylwin remained in European waters following the end of the war. On 26 December 1918, she sailed in company with Chester (Cruiser No. 1) for an inspection tour of the Baltic ports of Germany. The ships, which, were operating under the auspices of the Allied Naval Armistice Commission, were to remove any American prisoners of war or citizens discovered in the German ports. On 16 June 1919, Aylwin departed Brest, France, bound for the United States, and arrived at New York City 10 days later. She then proceeded to the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she was placed in reserve.

While in this status, Aylwin received the designation DD 47 on 17 July 1920. She was decommissioned on 23 February 1921. The ship’s name was canceled on 1 July 1933 so that a new destroyer, DD 355, might be named Aylwin. Thereafter, the older destroyer was referred to simply as DD 47. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 8 March 1935 and she was sold for scrap in accordance with the terms of the London Treaty for the limitation of naval armament.

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