Stephen Decatur was born in 1779 to an immigrant family. At age twenty-five, Stephen Decatur was the youngest person ever to become a captain in the U.S. Navy. Heroism, devotion, and his leadership abilities made him an iconic officer in the growing U.S. Navy. Along with leading a victorious campaign against Tripoli and successful endeavors in the War of 1812, he coined the phrase, “Our country, right or wrong.” Ultimately Stephen Decatur’s actions throughout his time in the navy generated a long-lasting legend of courage and patriotism and an ideal example of what it means to be a naval officer.
Stephen Decatur was born in Sinepuxent, Maryland on January 5th, 1779. His parents were Stephen Decatur, Sr. and Ann Decatur. His father was a captain in the navy during the Revolutionary War. Stephen grew up attending the Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia. He was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania at the age of 17. His first job was working for two men named Gurney and Smith where he secured timber for the USS United States. Stephen followed in his father’s footsteps and became a midshipman on April 30th, 1798 with the help of Commodore John Barry. During his first assignment he sailed during the Quasi-War under the command of Commodore Barry. While at sea he participated in the capturing of multiple French privateers. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1799 after showing exceptional skill as well as being an inspiring leader. In 1800, the U.S. Navy was downsized by Congress resulting in several officers being discharged from the navy. However, the navy saw the potential in Decatur and retained him as an officer. In 1801, Stephen Decatur was assigned as a first lieutenant on board the USS Essex. …show more content…
The Essex sailed as part of Commodore Richard Dale’s squadron in the First Barbary War. Their mission was to sail to the Mediterranean and stop pirate ships from raiding American commerce ships. During his time in the Mediterranean he also served on the USS New York. While aboard the USS New York, Decatur was instructed to return to the United States and take command of the USS Argus. He sailed this ship across the Atlantic Ocean and handed it over to Lieutenant Isaac Hull. He then took command of the USS Enterprise which was a 12-gun schooner. On December 23rd, 1803 the USS Enterprise with Stephan Decatur as its captain, alongside of the USS Constitution, captured the ketch Mastico after a long fight off the shores of Tripoli. Decatur then renamed the Mastico the Intrepid and used it as a disguise in a daring raid the destroy the USS Philadelphia which had previously in October been captured by Tripoli. On February 16th, 1804, Decatur disguised the Intrepid as a Maltese commerce ship and flew a British flag in order to secretly enter the Tripoli harbor. Decatur then asked for permission to tie up right beside the USS Philadelphia claiming that their anchors had been lost in a storm. Once the two ships were close enough, Decatur and 60 of his best and bravest men stormed on board the USS Philadelphia. He and his men had to fight with swords to reclaim the USS Philadelphia. However, since the USS Philadelphia was stuck on the Tripoli shore, Decatur decided to burn the ship rather than let his enemies have it. They burned the ship down by placing combustibles throughout the ship. Decatur was the
Stephen Decatur was born in Sinepuxent, Maryland on January 5th, 1779. His parents were Stephen Decatur, Sr. and Ann Decatur. His father was a captain in the navy during the Revolutionary War. Stephen grew up attending the Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia. He was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania at the age of 17. His first job was working for two men named Gurney and Smith where he secured timber for the USS United States. Stephen followed in his father’s footsteps and became a midshipman on April 30th, 1798 with the help of Commodore John Barry. During his first assignment he sailed during the Quasi-War under the command of Commodore Barry. While at sea he participated in the capturing of multiple French privateers. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1799 after showing exceptional skill as well as being an inspiring leader. In 1800, the U.S. Navy was downsized by Congress resulting in several officers being discharged from the navy. However, the navy saw the potential in Decatur and retained him as an officer. In 1801, Stephen Decatur was assigned as a first lieutenant on board the USS Essex. …show more content…
The Essex sailed as part of Commodore Richard Dale’s squadron in the First Barbary War. Their mission was to sail to the Mediterranean and stop pirate ships from raiding American commerce ships. During his time in the Mediterranean he also served on the USS New York. While aboard the USS New York, Decatur was instructed to return to the United States and take command of the USS Argus. He sailed this ship across the Atlantic Ocean and handed it over to Lieutenant Isaac Hull. He then took command of the USS Enterprise which was a 12-gun schooner. On December 23rd, 1803 the USS Enterprise with Stephan Decatur as its captain, alongside of the USS Constitution, captured the ketch Mastico after a long fight off the shores of Tripoli. Decatur then renamed the Mastico the Intrepid and used it as a disguise in a daring raid the destroy the USS Philadelphia which had previously in October been captured by Tripoli. On February 16th, 1804, Decatur disguised the Intrepid as a Maltese commerce ship and flew a British flag in order to secretly enter the Tripoli harbor. Decatur then asked for permission to tie up right beside the USS Philadelphia claiming that their anchors had been lost in a storm. Once the two ships were close enough, Decatur and 60 of his best and bravest men stormed on board the USS Philadelphia. He and his men had to fight with swords to reclaim the USS Philadelphia. However, since the USS Philadelphia was stuck on the Tripoli shore, Decatur decided to burn the ship rather than let his enemies have it. They burned the ship down by placing combustibles throughout the ship. Decatur was the