USS Aramis, a 375-ton patrol vessel, was built in 1916 at City Island, New York, as the diesel-powered yacht of the same name. She was acquired by the Navy in July 1917 and placed in commission in November 1917. After a month of patrol duty in the New York Harbor area, she was fitted with an early antisubmarine listening device and conducted tests at New London, Connecticut. She then returned to New York for more patrol, convoy and training service. On 12 August 1918 Aramis rescued survivors of the torpedoed Norwegian steamship Sommerstad and, on the following day, took part in an attack on a suspected German submarine.

In November 1918, soon after the Armistice brought an end to the World War I fighting, Aramis was assigned as flagship of Battleship Division THREE. However, this mission was short-lived, as continuing problems with her diesel engines rendered her unsuitable for the job. She next was based at New London, but went back to New York in early April 1919 and, on the 7th of that month, carried dignitaries as they welcomed Admiral William S. Sims upon his return to the United States from Europe. In September-November 1919 Aramis was stationed at Washington, D.C.

Given the hull number PY-7 in July 1920, while at New York, in September-November 1919 was considered for conversion to the Navy Department's yacht, but was instead laid up at the New York and Philadelphia Navy Yards between October 1921 and late 1924. Thereafter she was used as a tender and houseboat for USS Nokomis (PY-6) during survey work along the Cuban coast. Aramis was stricken from the Navy list in July 1933 and sold, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in November 1933.