USS Gladiola should not be confused with USS Gladiolus.
Gladiola was built as a civilian motor yacht of the same name in 1911 by Hudson Yacht and Building Company at Nyack, New York. The U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, Coburn Haskell, on 17 April 1917 for World War I service as a patrol vessel. She was commissioned as USS Gladiola (SP-184) on 1 May 1917.
Gladiola was placed under the operational control of the 5th Naval District and served in the Norfolk-Hampton Roads, Virginia, area as a naval port guard craft and as a customs boat.
Gladiola was decommissioned and simultaneously returned to her owner on 25 February 1919.