The third Henley (DD-553) was named for John Dandridge Henley, born in Williamsburg 25 February 1781. His brother was Captain Robert Henley, namesake of DD-39, 391 and 762. Commissioned midshipman 14 August 1799, Henley served in Chesapeake, cruising in the West Indies until 1801. Departing Baltimore in the schooner Vixen 3 August 1803, he joined the Mediterranean Squadron for the War with Tripoli. Serving as an officer in Gunboat No. 6 under Lieutenant John Trippe, Henley participated in the attack on Tripoli, 3 August 1804. Gunboat No. 6 ran alongside one of the enemy's large boats and with nine men, Trippe and Henley stormed the Tripolitan before the gunboat fell away from the enemy. Although outnumbered three to one, the Americans fought so fiercely that within a few minutes the enemy struck their colors. Fourteen of the enemy had been killed and 22 were taken prisoner. Both Trippe and Henley were highly commended for their bravery in this action. Following completion of his tour in the Mediterranean in 1805, Henley made a merchant voyage to distant ports and then in September 1807, assumed command of Gunboat No. 20. Henley then served a tour in Washington and with the outbreak of war against the British was ordered to Charleston in June 1813 to command schooner Carolina. His ship was destroyed 27 December 1814 off New Orleans during a fierce struggle in which the few small warships available played a decisive role in delaying the powerful British attack and bringing victory to the American forces. For his part in the victory at New Orleans 8 January 1815 Henley was highly commended by General Andrew Jackson. Promoted to Captain 5 March 1817, Henley commanded John Adams in the West Indies and Congress in the Indian Ocean before taking command of Macedonian in the struggle against West Indian pirates during 1822. Captain Henley served as commandant of the Charleston and Baltimore stations and the Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire, 1826 to 1832. On 16 August 1832 he was given command of the West India Squadron with Vandalia as his flagship. Captain Henley died on board Vandalia at Havana, Cuba, 23 May 1835.

Portrait of John Dandridge Henley; oil on canvas attributed to Charles Bird King, after John Wesley Jarvis, circa 1815. Courtesy The Historic New Orleans Collection, accession number 2013.0358.6

For more photos and information about USS John D. Henley, see:

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

War History Compiled by David Wright