Gridley was physically spent after the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. His health began to sink even faster once he was released from the strain of command. Transferred from the USS Zafiro to the commercial steamer Coptic on May 27, but had to be taken aboard on a stretcher.
He knew that his condition was grave and wrote simply, "I think I am done for it, personally."
Aboard the Coptic, on June 5, 1898, Gridley died while it was at Kobe, Japan.
His body was cremated and sent home. Services were held at Erie, Pennsylvania's Cathedral of St. Paul and he was buried at Lakeside Cemetery in Erie.
Gridley was a member of the Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Four ships in the U.S. Navy have been named after him.
USS Gridley (DD-92) 1918-1922
USS Gridley (DD-380) Lead ship of her class of destroyers (1936-1947)
USS Gridley (DLG-21) Guided Missile Frigate 1961-1994)
USS Gridley (DDG-101) (2007 to present)
A monument to Gridley was erected in a city park in Erie, Pennsylvania, which is named Gridley Park.
--Old B-Runner
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