Barry, John (1745-1803), was an American naval officer in the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). He is one of several men referred to as the father of the American Navy. He became ranking captain of the first regular navy of the United States under the Constitution in 1794. Barry was born in Ireland, and settled in Philadelphia about 1760. When the Revolutionary War began, he became commander of the brig Lexington. He captured the British tender Edward in 1776. This was the first British warship taken in combat by a regularly commissioned American cruiser. He died on Sept. 13, 1803.
