Breck (DD-283) was launched 5 September 1919 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Squantum, MA, sponsored by Mrs. Forest MacNee, granddaughter of Lieutenant Commander Breck; and commissioned 1 December 1919, Lieutenant Commander C. E. Van Hook in command.

Breck served with the Atlantic Fleet, attached to Destroyer Squadron 1 and for six months operated in the Caribbean area. From 15 July 1920 until June 1921 she was at Newport RI, in reserve commission, having only limited duty training Naval Reserves on the Atlantic coast. In June 1921 she rejoined the Destroyer Force and continuously participated in scheduled drills and exercises along the Atlantic coast and for a time had special duty in connection with the calibration of coastal Radio Compass Stations.

In June 1922 she joined Squadrons Escorting fleet, and annually took part in squadron and fleet operations. In August 1925 her home yard was changed from Boston to Norfolk Navy Yard and Breck was attached to Destroyer Division 25. As a unit of that Division she served with US Naval Forces, Europe, between June 1926 and June 1927 showing the flag along the European and North African coasts and engaging in target and engineering competition. Upon returning to the United States she put in at New York Navy Yard and then proceeded to Newport where she embarked Naval Reserves for the training cruise with the Scouting Fleet. The succeeding years were similar in the established routine of gunnery practice, war games, and maneuvers until the end of September 1929 when Breck arrived with other units of Destroyer Squadron 9 at Philadelphia Navy Yard, ending her active service. Breck was decommissioned 1 May 1930 and sold 17 January 1931.