From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol. II p 213

Crystal

Quartz, transparent and colorless or with a slight tinge of color, used as a gem.

(PY--25: 1. 225'; b. 34'; dr. 13'; s. 18k.; a. 2 3")

Crystal (PY--25) was built as Vida in 1929 by Pusey and Jones Co., Wilmington, Del.; acquired by the Navy 15 January 1942; and commissioned 21 February 1942, Lieutenant Commander 0. B. Drotning, USNR (Ret.), in command.

Crystal arrived at Pearl Harbor 1 May for duty with the Hawaiian Sea Frontier. She served on patrol and escort duty in the island area, escorting Army transports and merchant vessels to outlying islands ; transported civilian workers and servicemen; and joined in exercises and drills with destroyers. From 1 December 1943 to 14 April 1944 she based at Midway for patrol duty and exercises and training with submarines. After overhaul at Pearl Harbor she returned to operations under the Hawaiian Sea Frontier, adding weather station patrols to her duties. On 8 November 1945 she got underway for the west coast, arriving at San Francisco 17 November. Crystal was decommissioned there 6 March 1946 and transferred to the Maritime Commission 2 April 1947.