Commodore John Barry Memorial

Commodore John Barry Memorial

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Quick Facts

Location:

Washington, DC

Designation:

Memorial

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Wheelchair Accessible

The Commodore John Barry Memorial in Washington, D.C., stands prominently along the southeast corner of Franklin Square and honors one of the most accomplished naval officers of the American Revolution. John Barry was born in 1745 in County Wexford, Ireland, and went to sea as a teenager after his family was forced from their land. Gifted in navigation and leadership, he rose quickly within the merchant service before settling in Philadelphia. When the Revolutionary War began, Barry offered his skills to the Continental cause and received a captain’s commission in 1776. Over the course of the war, he commanded several vessels, captured or destroyed multiple British ships, fought through severe wounds, and led both naval and marine operations. Barry was praised for his integrity, discipline, and humane treatment of prisoners, earning the trust of the Continental Congress and fellow officers.

After the Revolution, Barry played a central role in establishing the permanent U.S. Navy. President George Washington selected him in 1794 as the first commissioned officer of the new service and placed him at the forefront of training officers, writing regulations, and preparing the fleet for operations. Barry commanded the frigate United States during the Quasi-War with France, helped protect American commerce, and laid the groundwork for the professional naval tradition that followed. For these contributions, he is widely recognized as the “Father of the American Navy,” a title also sometimes shared with John Paul Jones.

The memorial was authorized by Congress in 1906 after decades of advocacy from Irish American groups who viewed Barry as both a national hero and a symbol of Irish contributions to the United States. Sculptor John J. Boyle, known for his public monuments in Philadelphia and Washington, created the bronze statue. Dedicated on May 16, 1914, the memorial depicts Barry in full naval uniform advancing with purposeful stride, his right hand resting on his sword and his left hand holding a telescope—an image of command, vigilance, and decisiveness. Maritime emblems and a polished granite pedestal underscore his naval achievements and anchor the monument within its urban setting.

For more than a century, the Commodore John Barry Memorial has served not only as a tribute to Barry’s service but also as a focal point for Irish American cultural events and commemorations. It remains one of Washington’s earliest monuments honoring a military leader from the Revolutionary era and continues to highlight the enduring legacy of a man whose leadership helped shape the United States Navy.