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Hull Number: DDG-52

Launch Date: 05/10/1991

Commissioned Date: 12/12/1992

Call Sign: NNJB


Class: ARLEIGH BURKE

ARLEIGH BURKE Class


Namesake: JOHN BARRY

JOHN BARRY

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, February 2004

John Barry (March 25, 1745 – September 13, 1803) was an Irish-born American naval officer who served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War. He has been credited by some as “The Father of the American Navy”, sharing that moniker with John Paul Jones and John Adams, and was appointed as a captain in the Continental Navy on December 7, 1775.[1][2] Barry was the first captain placed in command of an American warship commissioned for service under the Continental flag.[3] After the Revolutionary War, he became the first commissioned American naval officer, at the rank of commodore, receiving his commission from President George Washington in 1797.

Barry received his first captain’s commission in the Continental Navy on March 14, 1776, signed by John Hancock, president of the Second Continental Congress. Barry was a religious man and began each day at sea with a reading from the Bible. He had great regard for his crew and their well-being and always made sure they were properly provisioned while at sea.[9]

During his naval career Barry commanded the U.S. warships DelawareLexingtonRaleighAlliance and United States.

Captain Barry was given command of USS Lexington, of 14 guns, on December 7, 1775. It was the first commission issued by the Continental Congress.[10] The Lexington sailed March 31, 1776. On April 7, 1776, off the Capes of Virginia, he fell in with the Edward, tender to the British man-of-war HMS Liverpool, and after a desperate fight of one hour and twenty minutes captured her and brought her into Philadelphia.[11]

On June 28, Pennsylvania’s brig Nancy arrived in the area with 386 barrels of powder in her hold and ran aground while attempting to elude British blockader Kingfisher. Barry ordered the precious powder rowed ashore during the night, leaving only 100 barrels in Nancy at dawn. A delayed action fuse was left inside the brig, which exploded the powder just as a boatload of British seamen boarded Nancy.[12] This engagement became known as the Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet.[13]

Barry retained command of Lexington until October 18, 1776, and captured several private armed vessels during that time.[14]

In 1777, Barry commanded the ship USS Delaware, a brig sailing under a letter of marque and capturing British vessels in the Delaware River.[15]

In 1778, Barry assumed command of USS Raleigh, capturing three prizes before being run aground in action on September 27, 1778. Her crew scuttled her, but she was raised by the British, who refloated her for further use in the Royal Navy.[16]

Barry authored a signal book published in 1780 to improve communications at sea among vessels traveling in formation.[17]

He was seriously wounded on May 29, 1781, while in command of Alliance during her capture of HMS Atalanta and Trepassey.[18]

He and his crew of the USS Alliance fought and won the final naval battle of the American Revolution 140 miles (230 km) south of Cape Canaveral on March 10, 1783.[19]

Barry was successful in suppressing three mutinies during his career as an officer in the Continental Navy.[20]

On February 22, 1797, he was issued Commission Number 1 by President George Washington, backdated to June 4, 1794. His title was thereafter “commodore”. He is recognized as not only the first American commissioned naval officer but also as its first flag officer.[21]

Appointed senior captain upon the establishment of the U.S. Navy, he commanded the frigate United States in the Quasi-War with France. This ship transported commissioners William Richardson Davie and Oliver Ellsworth to France to negotiate a new Franco-American alliance.[22]

Barry’s last day of active duty was March 6, 1801, when he brought USS United States into port, but he remained head of the Navy until his death on September 13, 1803, from asthma. Barry died childless.[23]

Barry died at Strawberry Hill, in present-day Philadelphia on September 13, 1803, and was buried in the graveyard of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.

The executors of his estate were his wife Sarah, his nephew Patrick Hayes and his friend John Leamy.[24]

On October 24, 1768, Barry married Mary Cleary, who died in 1774. On July 7, 1777, he married Sarah Austin, daughter of Samuel Austin and Sarah Keen of New Jersey.[25] Barry had no children, but he helped raise Patrick and Michael Hayes, children of his sister, Eleanor, and her husband, Thomas Hayes, who both died in the 1780s.

  • The U.S. Revenue Cutter Commodore Barry, captured off Maine in the War of 1812
  • Commodore Barry Park in BrooklynNew York. It is the oldest park in the borough. It was renamed for Commodore Barry in 1951, due to its location next to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which Barry helped found.
  • A large statue of Barry stands directly in front of the formal entrance to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Four U.S. Navy ships
  • In World War II, the United States liberty ship SS John Barry was named in his honor.
  • There is a large portrait of Commodore Barry at the Rhode Island State House in Providence; and Title 16 of the Rhode Island Statutes (§ 16-20-3 – Days of special observance) requires observing September 13 as Commodore John Barry Day.
  • statue of Barry overlooks the Crescent Quay in Wexford town in Ireland. It was a gift to the town from the United States and was delivered by a United States Navy destroyerUSS John R. Pierce (DD-753). The statue was unveiled in 1956, and each year a parade and wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the statue to celebrate “Barry Day”, commemorated by the Irish Naval Service and the Minister for Defence.
  • A statue of Barry by Eugene Kormendi is placed in the west court of Dillon Hall at the University of Notre Dame.[26]
  • Commodore Barry Bridge, which crosses the Delaware River from ChesterPennsylvania to BridgeportNew Jersey.
  • John Barry Hall at Villanova University, hosting University ROTC programs
  • Commodore Barry Club (Philadelphia Irish Center) Emlen Street and Carpenter Lane, Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Barry TownshipSchuylkill CountyPennsylvania
  • Commodore John Barry Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Commodore John Barry Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois
  • Commodore John Barry Division of Ancient Order of Hibernians, Annapolis, Maryland
  • Commodore John Barry Division of Ancient Order of Hibernians, National Park, New Jersey
  • Commodore John Barry Division of Ancient Order of Hibernians, Syracuse, New York
  • John Barry Bar, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Muscat, Oman
  • September 13, Commodore John Barry Day in New Jersey public schools
  • Commodore John Barry Memorial Plaque at Staten Island Borough Hall
  • A new plaque with a cannon was dedicated on March 10, 2007, in Port Canaveral.
  • A plaque stands in the city of Boston on Boston Common.
  • A plaque commemorating Barry and his crew of the Alliance for the final naval battle of the American Revolution is located at Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
  • A stone plaque commemorating his grave site is located at Old St. Mary’s Church in Philadelphia, PA.
  • A six-foot bronze statue of Commodore John Barry stands in Franklin Square (between I and K streets on 14th St. N.W.) in Washington, D.C.
  • Barry Hall is one of six military barracks facilities at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in commemoration of him.
  • The visitor entrance to the United States Naval Academy, from Downtown Annapolis to the Visitor’s Center, commemorates Commodore John Barry. Inside the entrance is a monument to Commodore Barry with a plaque with an image of his commission, Number 1 in the United States Navy. Both the gate and the monument were erected by the Ancient Order of Hibernians [27][28]
  • There is a plaque and bust commemorating Commodore Barry on the main floor in the Rickover Hall classroom building at the United States Naval Academy.


USS BARRY DDG-52 Ship History

Wikipedia (as of 2024)

USS Barry (DDG-52) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyercommissioned in 1992. Barry is the fourth United States Navy ship named after the “Father of the American Navy”, Commodore John Barry (1745–1803). Her homeport is Naval Station Everett, Washington. Several improvements over Arleigh Burke exist on this ship and all following Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, such as the ability to refuel a helicopter.

Barrykeel was laid down on 26 February 1990, at the Ingalls Shipbuilding shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was launched on 10 May 1991, and christened on 8 June 1991, by her sponsor Rose Cochran, wife of United States Senator Thad CochranBarry was commissioned into the U.S. Atlantic Fleet on 12 December 1992, and was placed under the command of Commander Gary Roughead. The commissioning ceremony took place at Naval Station Pascagoula in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Following ship’s commissioning, Barry underwent Post Delivery Test and Trials (PDT&T). During this period, Barry tested every major system on board. An Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) was conducted, with Barry receiving an overall grade of Excellent. Combat Systems Ship Qualifications Trials (CSSQT) were also conducted that included 13 missile firings.

Barry has received many awards, including the Battenberg Cup for the years 1994, 1996, and 1998—making Barry one of only three ships (as of 2008) to have won the prestigious award three times. She has also been awarded the Battle E award eight times, and received the Golden Anchor and Silver Anchor Awards for retention. More recently, in 2004 Barry received the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for being the most improved ship in the Atlantic Fleet.

In April 1993, Barry underwent Final Contract Trials (FCT) before returning to Ingalls Shipbuilding in May 1993, for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA). This availability included a 4-week dry-docking that included installation of the Navy’s new generation Advanced Technology Design propellers, designed to reduce cavitation at high speed and improve fuel economy. Other improvements included installation of an Electro-Optical Sighting System (EOSS), application of Passive Countermeasure System (PCMS) material, tank stiffening and installation of a gray water collection system. On 21 October 1993, Captain Gary RougheadBarrys first commanding officer, was relieved by Commander James G. Stavridis. Barry was under command of (tactical) Destroyer Squadron 26 in 1993, 1994 and 1995, while administratively part of Destroyer Squadron 2. In November 1993, Barry received orders to proceed to Haiti, to take part in Operation Support Democracy. Barrys duties included enforcing the embargo of arms and petroleum products to the island nation.

In January 1994, Barry completed her first combined Combat Systems Assessment (CSA)/Cruise Missile Tactical Qualification (CMTQ), achieving one of the Atlantic Fleet’s highest score to date. In March, Barry participated in exercise MAYFLYEX 94 where her Aegis combat system successfully engaged and destroyed several Exocet anti-ship cruise missiles. In April, Barry wrapped up her preparations for her first overseas combat deployment by participating in FLEETEX 2–94 with other units of the George Washington Battle Group. A highlight of this exercise was a covert SEAL team extraction in shallow water only a few miles off the Carolina coast, successfully validating the stealth characteristics of the DDG-51 class.

On 20 May 1994, Barry departed Norfolk, Virginia, on her first Mediterranean deployment. During Barrys maiden deployment, she served alongside the aircraft carrier George Washington as the backdrop for the 50th anniversary of D-DayBarry also sailed the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas as “Red Crown” in support of the No-Fly Zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

On 7 October 1994, Barry received orders to proceed to the Persian Gulf‘ in response to Iraq‘s massing of troops on the Kuwaiti border. In what would become known as Operation Vigilant WarriorBarrys participation included escort of both George Washington, and an amphibious assault group, to anchorage off Kuwait CityBarry also served as alternate Persian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator (AAWC), and principal Tomahawk strike platform during the crisis. Barry received a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the NATO Medal for her actions during the deployment and returned home to NorfolkVirginia on 17 November 1994.

In January 1995, Barry began a three-month SRA at Moon Engineering located in Portsmouth, Virginia. This SRA included the Women at Sea (WAS) modification.

In March 2003, she was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 26.[4]

In 2004, Barry participated at the annual Fleet Week in New York City.

In 2006, Barry joined her sister shipGonzalez, in providing cover for Orient Queen, a cruise ship chartered by the United States to help evacuate American citizens during the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon conflict.[5]

On 1 March 2011, Barry was dispatched to the Mediterranean Sea, in response to the 2011 Libyan civil war. On 19 March 2011, the Navy reported that Barry fired 55 Tomahawk cruise missiles to suppress the Libyan air defense system in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.[6][7] The official codename for the U.S. part of the operation is Operation Odyssey Dawn.[8] On 28 March, Barry assisted a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion, from Patrol Squadron Five, and an A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft attacking a group of three Libyan Coast Guard boats which were firing upon merchant vessels.[9]

In late August 2013, she was ordered, alongside her sister ships GravelyMahan and Ramage to patrol the eastern Mediterranean Sea in response to rising rumors of an imminent military intervention in the Syrian civil war.

In early 2016, Barry conducted a hull swap with Lassen, in which the two crews switched ships. Lassen operated out of Yokosuka, from 2005 to 2016. Barry completed midlife modernization prior to making the switch and was outfitted with Aegis Baseline 9, the latest combat system, which is capable of defensive and offensive operations against aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, surface ships, submarines and shore targets. Barry also received a fully integrated bridge, quality-of-life upgrades, and advanced galley during refit.[citation needed]

On 10 April and 24 April 2020, Barry transited the Taiwan Strait.[10]

In 2022, Barry was part of Carrier Strike Group 5 led by USS Ronald Reagan. Also deployed was sister ship USS Benfold and cruiser USS Chancellorsville.[11]

After forward deployment for six years, Barry moved to Naval Station Everett, where the ship will undergo routine maintenance.[12] In August 2023 Barry offered public tours as part of Seattle Fleet Week.[13]

Awards[edit]