Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur, Jr. (January 5, 1779 - March 22, 1820) was an American naval officer notable for his heroism in actions at Tripoli, Libya and in the War of 1812.
He was born in Sinepuxent, Maryland, and was appointed midshipman in the Navy on April 30, 1798, serving in the USS United States.
As a lieutenant, in the war against Tripoli, on February 16, 1804, he went into the harbor, recaptured the USS Philadelphia, and then destroyed her.
On October 25, 1812, now commanding the United States, he captured the HMS Macedonian. In 1814 he flew a pennant as Commodore commanding the USS President and three smaller vessels in the West Indies. Unfortunately he fell in with the British West Indies Squadron January 15, 1815, and had to surrender the President after a fierce fight.
Between 1816 and 1820, Decatur was a Navy Commissioner.
In 1820, he feuded with Commodore James Barron; they fought a duel which resulted in Decatur's death.
Decatur is famed for his toast "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong."
Referenced By
16 February | 16th February | 1779 | 1804 | 1820 | 22 March | 22nd March | 5 January | 5th January | Andrew Sterett | Anglo-American War | Barbary Corsairs | Barbary pirates | British-American War | Decatur | Decatur County, Alabama | February 16 | February 16th | HMS Macedonian | January 5 | January 5th | John D. Sloat | John Drake Sloat | List of famous duels | List of naval commanders | List of people by name: De | List of people on stamps of the United States | March 22 | March 22nd | People on stamps of the United States | Reuben James | Sinepuxent, Maryland | Tarabulus | Timeline of United States Diplomatic History | Tripoli | Tripoli, Libya | Tripolis | USS Chesapeake | USS Chippewa | USS Congress (1799) | USS Decatur | USS Independence (1814) | USS Macedonian | United States Diplomatic History | War of 1812
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