- Charles Vernon Gridley
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Charles Vernon Gridley 
Born November 24, 1844
Logansport, IndianaDied June 5, 1898 (aged 53)
Kobe, JapanAllegiance 
United StatesService/branch United States Navy Years of service 1860—1898 Rank Captain Commands held USS Olympia Battles/wars Spanish-American War
Charles Vernon Gridley (24 November 1844 – 5 June 1898) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War.
Contents
Early life
Gridley is directly descended from Thomas Gridley (1612–1653), who emigrated from England to the New England area in 1633. Gridley was born in Logansport, Indiana on 24 November 1844.
After attending Hillsdale College[1], Gridley was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1860. Reporting for duty with his class in September 1863, Gridley joined the sloop-of-war Oneida with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and distinguished himself with David Farragut at the Battle of Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864.
Gridley was promoted to lieutenant in 1867. From 1871 to 1875, Gridley was stationed on the only United States Navy ship based on the Great Lakes at the time, the USS Michigan, at Erie, Pennsylvania. While stationed in Erie, he married the daughter of Judge John P. Vincent and had three children.[2] Gridley's wife was also a cousin of the late Civil War Hero, Brigadier General Strong Vincent. Gridley was promoted to commander in 1882. He spent the next 30 years at various stations around the world, including a tour as instructor at the Naval Academy. Captain Gridley took command of USS Olympia, Admiral George Dewey's famous flagship on 27 April 1898. During the Battle of Manila Bay on 1 May 1898, Dewey gave his famous command, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley," immortalizing the captain.
After the destruction of the Spanish fleet and the capture of Manila, Gridley was obliged to leave his command because of his health, and died en route to the United States at Kobe, Japan.
Legacy
Gridley Monument in Erie, Pennsylvania
Four ships in the United States Navy have been named for him.
A monument to Gridley was erected in Erie and placed in the center of a city park, which was named Gridley Park. The engraved plaque affixed to the monument is made of a metal panel retrieved from the USS Maine.
See also
References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
External links
Categories:- 1844 births
- 1898 deaths
- Union Navy officers
- American military personnel of the Spanish–American War
- United States Naval Academy alumni
- United States Navy officers
- People of Indiana in the American Civil War
- People from Cass County, Indiana
- People from Indiana in the Spanish–American War
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