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. 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.