Richard Doyle (sailor)


Richard Doyle was a sailor in the United States Navy who fought in the Barbary Wars.

Naval service

Richard Doyle entered the United States Navy on board the schooner Enterprise 25 August 1803 at Malta. On 14 November 1803 he was promoted to quarter gunner. Doyle participated in one of the notable actions during the Barbary Wars when he volunteered for the expedition under Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr., which entered the harbor of Tripoli and daringly destroyed the former U.S. frigate Philadelphia 16 February 1804. Doyle later served in the frigate John Adams, and died 27 June 1807 while serving in the sloop-of-war Wasp.

Namesake

In 1942, the destroyer USS Doyle was named in his honor.