Saturday, July 12, 2008

Captain Stephen Decatur

He was the youngest man (25) to reach the rank of captain in the history of the United States Navy. He was one of "Preble's Boys" and friends with Charles Stewart and Richard Rush.

In April 1816 he made the toast that would become a standard expression of American patriotism: "Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong."

President John Quincy Adams summed up Decatur best: "He was kind, warm-hearted, unassuming, gentle and hospitable, beloved in social life and with a soul totally and utterly devoted to his country."

No comments: