Stephen Decatur Biography

This Biography consists of approximately 2 pages of information about the life of Stephen Decatur.

Stephen Decatur Biography

This Biography consists of approximately 2 pages of information about the life of Stephen Decatur.
This section contains 462 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Stephen Decatur Biography

Encyclopedia of World Biography on Stephen Decatur

The American naval officer Stephen Decatur (1779-1820) is best known for his daring exploits in the Tripolitan War and as a successful commander in the War of 1812.

Stephen Decatur was born on Jan. 5, 1779, at Sinepuxent, Md. He studied at the Episcopal Academy and then at the University of Pennsylvania. After working briefly in Philadelphia, Decatur accepted a midshipman's commission at the outset of the naval war with France (1798-1800). He won quick promotion to lieutenant in May 1799.

Decatur saw action in the war with Tripoli and, under Commodore Edward Preble, commanded the 12-gun schooner Enterprise. On Feb. 16, 1804, Decatur led the daring evening expedition that destroyed the captured frigate Philadelphia in the Tripoli harbor. He was quickly promoted to captain, and as such he commanded a division of gunboats in each of Preble's bombardments of Tripoli. In the first attack, on August 3, Decatur and his crew boarded and captured...

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This section contains 462 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Stephen Decatur Biography
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Stephen Decatur from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.