Stephen Decatur, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

Stephen Decatur

United States Navy officer

Date of Birth: 05-Jan-1779

Place of Birth: Berlin, Maryland, United States

Date of Death: 22-Mar-1820

Profession: military officer

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn


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About Stephen Decatur

  • Stephen Decatur Jr.
  • (January 5, 1779 – March 22, 1820) was a United States naval officer and commodore.
  • He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland in Worcester County, the son of a U.S.
  • naval officer who served during the American Revolution.
  • His father, Stephen Decatur Sr., was a commodore in the U.S.
  • Navy, and brought the younger Stephen into the world of ships and sailing early on.
  • Shortly after attending college, Decatur followed in his father's footsteps and joined the U.S.
  • Navy at the age of nineteen as a midshipman.Decatur supervised the construction of several U.S.
  • naval vessels, one of which he later commanded.
  • Promoted at age 25, he is the youngest man to reach the rank of captain in the history of the United States Navy.
  • He served under three presidents, and played a major role in the early development of the American navy.
  • In almost every theater of operation, Decatur's service was characterized by acts of heroism and exceptional performance.
  • His service in the Navy took him through both Barbary Wars in North Africa, the Quasi-War with France, and the War of 1812 with Britain.
  • He was renowned for his natural ability to lead and for his genuine concern for the seamen under his command.
  • His numerous naval victories against Britain, France and the Barbary states established the United States Navy as a rising power. During this period he served aboard and commanded many naval vessels and ultimately became a member of the Board of Navy Commissioners.
  • He built a large home in Washington, known as Decatur House, on Lafayette Square, and was the center of Washington society in the early 19th century.
  • He became an affluent member of Washington society and counted James Monroe and other Washington dignitaries among his personal friends.Decatur's career came to an early end when he was killed in a duel with Commodore James Barron.
  • They fought after he refused to retract remarks he had made about Barron's conduct in the Chesapeake–Leopard affair in 1807.
  • Decatur emerged as a national hero in his own lifetime, becoming the first post-Revolutionary War hero.
  • His name and legacy, like that of John Paul Jones, became identified with the United States Navy.

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