Naval Career
After attending Hillsdale College, 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. 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.
Read more about this topic: Charles Vernon Gridley
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