Between June 1927 and January 1928, "Smith Thompson" cruised in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic, and then proceeded to the United States West Coast to join Destroyer Squadrons, Battle Fleet. On 1 August 1929, she sailed from Bremerton, Washington, with her division for a second tour with the Asiatic Fleet. Arriving at Chefoo, China, on 2 September 1929; "Smith Thompson" participated in exercises with the fleet in Chinese and Philippine waters, with overhaul periods at the Cavite Navy Yard, until 1936. Due to civil war and bandit activity, a division of destroyers had to be maintained in Chinese waters in addition to the regular gunboat patrols; and "Smith Thompson" was, on several occasions, assigned temporary duty with the Yangtze River Patrol and the South China Patrol. On 1 February 1932, she, with other units of the Asiatic Fleet, was rushed to Shanghai to protect the international settlement there after the Japanese launched an air and sea attack on the Chinese portion of the city. On this occasion, "Smith Thompson" remained on special patrols along the China coast until 28 May.