During the Spanish–American War, Standley served in the monitor and later in the gunboat . After the fighting with Spain had ended, he joined the gunboat during the Philippine–American War. He won a commendation for bravery during a volunteer reconnaissance mission carried out at Baler, on 11 April 1899. In conjunction with a feint conducted by Lieutenant J. C. Gilmore, Standley, then an ensign, ventured into enemy territory to reconnoiter insurgent positions.