In 1924 USS Marblehead`s career began with a cruise to the U.K. and the Mediterranean. In 1925 Marblehead paid a goodwill tour to Australia. During 1927-1928 Marblehead was involved in operations on the Yangtse river in China, and then off the Nicaraguan coast before assuming a normal peacetime routine in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. In January 1938 Marblehead was detached to the Philippines, based at Canite, and was still in this region on the outbreak of war in the Pacific.

In December 1941 Marblehead was operating in the Philippines based at Tarakan. On 9 Janaury 1942 Marblehead left Darwin with the cruiser USS Boise and five destroyers to escort the troop transport Bloemfontein to Surabaya. That month in the Dutch East Indies, Japanese troops were landing at Balikpapan (Borneo). Allied reconnaissance located the Japanese forces. Task Force 5, of whom Marblehead was a unit, were detailed to intercept the enemy. On the 20th, after refueling at Koepang Bay they were ordered to make a night attack on a Japanese convoy and set course for the Straits of Macassar. Boise unfortunately struck an underwater obstruction and holed her bottom, however due to engine trouble Marblehead had to retire from any action as she could only steam at 15 kts. Following a reconnaissance report by Allied aircraft about the concentration of Japanese landing forces off Balikpapan, Admiral Hart (USN) ordered an Allied Force under the Dutch Rear Admiral Doorman to make a sortie towards the Maccasar Strait. The force was sighted by 37 bombers and Marblehead (Captain Arthur Granville Robinson) was badly damaged by hits and many near misses and only reached Tjilatjap by steering with her propellers. From March 25-30th, the crippled cruiser sailed for Simonstown, South Africa via Ceylon for temporary repairs, three weeks were spent in the Selborne dry dock before she sailed for the U.S. for more permanent repairs.

In november 1943 Marblehead was involved in blockade patrols in the South Atlantic and was based at Recife and Bahia. In January 1944 Marblehead was transferred to Mediterranean waters. In August she was involved in operation "Dragoon" when Allied forces landed on the French Mediterranean coast between Cannes and Toulon. Fire support was provided by Marblehead, the battleship USS Arkansas and three other Allied cruisers. This was her last active employment as she then returned to home waters to be used as a training vessel. On 1 November 1945 November, the old cruiser was finally decommissioned and on the 28th, she was stricken from the Navy List. On 27 February 1946 Marblehead was sold for breaking up.

There appears upon the Selborne dry dock wall, a badge representing the American warship.