USS Barker (DD-213) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy in World War II, named for Admiral Albert S. Barker.
Barker was launched 11 September 1919 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia; sponsored by Mrs. Albert S. Barker widow of Admiral Barker; and commissioned 27 December 1919.
Pre-war service
In June 1920, Barker sailed to the Middle East to join Division 35, US Naval Detachment, Turkish Waters. She served for several months with the American Relief of Armenia and visited several ports in Turkey and the Middle East before sailing eastward late in 1921, to the Orient to commence her four-year tour of duty with the Asiatic Fleet.
Barker cruised in Philippine and Asiatic waters until departing Manila in May 1925. In the next two years she served with the Scouting Force on the east coast and patrolled off Nicaragua, 10–31 January 1927, in the second campaign there. Thereafter, she served a two-year tour with United States Naval Forces Europe, and carried out several goodwill visits to many European ports.
From August 1929 to December 1941 Barker was kept on the Asiatic Station and operated with the destroyer divisions of the Asiatic Fleet. In periods of disturbance in China she was engaged in protecting American interests.
SS President Hoover
In the small hours of 11 December 1937 the ocean liner ran aground in a typhoon on Kasho-to, east of Formosa. Barker was sent from Olongapo Naval Station and was sent from Manila to assist.