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The Bashaw of [[Tripoli]], expecting tribute from the United States for safe passage of its merchant vessels and given none, declared war by taking over the embassy, chopping down the flag pole, and holding the American ambassador and his staff hostage.  After a U.S. Navy fleet was sent there and failed to resolve the situation beyond a weak blockade, a second fleet was dispatched under the command of Commodore Edward Preble; upon arrival in the Mediterranean, Lieutenant Decatur, commanding the brig USS ''Enterprise'', captured the enemy galley ''Mastico'' on December 23, 1803.  

The Bashaw of [[Tripoli]], expecting tribute from the United States for safe passage of its merchant vessels and given none, declared war by taking over the embassy, chopping down the flag pole, and holding the American ambassador and his staff hostage.  After a U.S. Navy fleet was sent there and failed to resolve the situation beyond a weak blockade, a second fleet was dispatched under the command of Commodore Edward Preble; upon arrival in the Mediterranean, Lieutenant Decatur, commanding the brig USS ''Enterprise'', captured the enemy galley ''Mastico'' on December 23, 1803.  

[[Image:Decatur2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Decatur Boarding the Tripolitan Gunboat'', by Dennis Malone Carter, ca. 1810]]

[[Image:Decatur2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Decatur Boarding the Tripolitan Gunboat'', by Dennis Malone Carter, ca. 1810]]

In October of 1803, responding to a Tripolitan vessel making a run to break the blockade, the frigate USS ''Philadelphia'' struck an uncharted reef and heeled over.  Seeing that she was unable to bring her guns to bear, the Tripolitans swarmed over the ship, capturing it intact and imprisoning the crew.  A fully-armed and powerful American frigate now in enemy hands was something Commodore Preble was not willing to tolerate, so he asked for volunteers to sail into the harbor and destroy the frigate; Decatur jumped at the chance.  When asked how many men he would need to do the job, Decatur reportedly said “The fewer the men, the greater the glory.”  With just over 80 men and an Arabic speaker at the wheel, the ''Mastico'', now bearing the name USS ''Intrepid'', sailed into Tripoli harbor on February 16, 1804, successfully recaptured ''Philadelphia'' without the loss of a single man, and set fire to her.  Upon hearing of Decatur’s exploit, Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson pronounced it “the most bold and daring act of the age.”  Commodore Preble sent word back to Washington of the exploit with the recommendation of promoting Lieutenant Decatur up two grades to Captain, who at age 25 was the youngest officer in the Navy to hold that rank.

In October 1803, responding to a Tripolitan vessel making a run to break the blockade, the frigate USS ''Philadelphia'' struck an uncharted reef and heeled over.  Seeing that she was unable to bring her guns to bear, the Tripolitans swarmed over the ship, capturing it intact and imprisoning the crew.  A fully-armed and powerful American frigate now in enemy hands was something Commodore Preble was not willing to tolerate, so he asked for volunteers to sail into the harbor and destroy the frigate; Decatur jumped at the chance.  When asked how many men he would need to do the job, Decatur reportedly said “The fewer the men, the greater the glory.”  With just over 80 men and an Arabic speaker at the wheel, the ''Mastico'', now bearing the name USS ''Intrepid'', sailed into Tripoli harbor on February 16, 1804, successfully recaptured ''Philadelphia'' without the loss of a single man, and set fire to her.  Upon hearing of Decatur’s exploit, Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson pronounced it “the most bold and daring act of the age.”  Commodore Preble sent word back to Washington of the exploit with the recommendation of promoting Lieutenant Decatur up two grades to Captain, who at age 25 was the youngest officer in the Navy to hold that rank.

This daring and extremely successful operation made Decatur an immediate national hero, a status that was enhanced by his courageous conduct during the August 3, 1804 bombardment of Tripoli. In that action, he led his men in hand-to-hand fighting while boarding and capturing an enemy gunboat, believing it was the one that had treacherously killed his brother James just hours before while pretending to surrender.  Grappling with the leader, Decatur was forced to the deck, almost getting killed himself by a sword-wielding Tripolitan (who was body-blocked from doing so by sailor Reuben James). Decatur managed to reach his pistol, firing through his pocket to kill his opponent.

This daring and extremely successful operation made Decatur an immediate national hero, a status that was enhanced by his courageous conduct during the August 3, 1804 bombardment of Tripoli. In that action, he led his men in hand-to-hand fighting while boarding and capturing an enemy gunboat, believing it was the one that had treacherously killed his brother James just hours before while pretending to surrender.  Grappling with the leader, Decatur was forced to the deck, almost getting killed himself by a sword-wielding Tripolitan (who was body-blocked from doing so by sailor Reuben James). Decatur managed to reach his pistol, firing through his pocket to kill his opponent.

*[http://www.decaturhouse.org/ The Stephen Decatur House Museum: Washington, DC]

*[http://www.decaturhouse.org/ The Stephen Decatur House Museum: Washington, DC]

[[Category:United States Naval officers|Decatur, Stephen]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Decatur, Stephen}}

[[Category:Barbary Wars|Decatur, Stephen]]

 

[[Category:War of 1812|Decatur, Stephen]]

[[Category:United States Naval Officers]]

[[Category:War of 1812]]

[[Category:Duelling|Decatur, Stephen]]