USS Gridley (DD-380), Gridley-class destroyer

The second USS Gridley, DD 380, was launched at the Fore River plant of Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Quincy, Mass., 1 December 1936; sponsored by Mrs. Lewis Xuddy III, daughter of Captain Gridley; and commissioned 24 June 1937, Comdr. Leroy W. Busbey, Jr., in
Charles Vernon Gridley was born at Logansport, Indiana 24 November 1844 and was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1860.
   Reporting for duty with his class in September 1863, Gridley joined sloop-of-war Oneida with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and distinguished himself with Adm. Farragut’s force at the Battle of Mobile Bay 5 August 1864.
   Promoted lieutenant in 1867 and commander in 1882, he spent the next thirty years at various stations around the world, including a tour as instructor at the Naval Academy.
   Captain Gridley took command of Olympia, Admiral Dewey's flagship, 27 April 1898, a post he held despite failing health during the Battle of Manila Bay 1 May 1898, which began when Dewey ordered, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley."
   After the battle and the capture of Manila, Gridley left his command because of his health, and died en route to the United States at Kobe, Japan, 25 May 1898.
command.
   Gridley fitted out at Boston Navy Yard, and conducted shakedown in the Caribbean area until 27 October 1938, visiting Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Venezuela. She then underwent alterations at the Boston Navy Yard until 13 June 1938, when she departed that port, transited the Panama Canal, and entered San Diego harbor 5 July 1938. Joining Destroyer Division 11, Gridley spent the next months in tactical maneuvers off the coast of California, and 4 January 1939 departed with the Battle Force for combined maneuvers in the Caribbean. She participated in Fleet Problem 20 with the Fleet off Cuba and Haiti, after which she returned to Boston for repairs.
   The destroyer again sailed into San Diego 13 July 1939 and became flagship of Division 11. She conducted maneuvers off California until 2 April 1940, when Gridley and other ships of the fleet conducted Fleet Problem 21 in Hawaiian waters. Subsequently, Gridley operated out of Hawaii. (continued)