Yes it was the most recent Navy ship by that name, USS Gridley was DLG-21, a guided missile destroyer when JFnK served aboard her, but later was modified into CG-21 a guided missile cruiser. The first Gridley, DD-92 was a WW-I era destroyer, launched in 1918, decomissioned in '22, stricken from the list in '37 and scrapped in '39. The second Gridley, DD-380, was launched in '36. She was screening the Enterprise on the way back from delivering planes to Midway, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. She was involved in many well known WW-II Pacific battles. Decommissioned in '46 and scrapped in '47.
Interestingly the first Gridley was sponsored (you know with the champaign bottle) by Mrs. Francis P. Thomas, daughter of Captain Gridley, the second by Mrs. Lewis Xuddy III, also daughter of Captain Gridley, and the third by Mrs. Stewart D. Rose, great-granddaughter of Captain Gridley.
Captain Charles Gridley was captain of the Olympia, flagship of Commodore George Dewey at the Battle of Manila, who was the one that said to open the battle, "you may fire when ready, Gridley". The Olympia even saw service in WW-I.
Re "Captain Charles Gridley was captain of the Olympia, flagship of Commodore George Dewey at the Battle of Manila, who was the one that said to open the battle, "you may fire when ready, Gridley". The Olympia even saw service in WW-I."
Yes, the old girl (USS Olympia) is still around, yet she needs some help. Go to http://www.spanamwar.com/olyhelp.htm and send them a few bucks...