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Happy 247th Birthday this month to Commodore Stephen Decatur, one of America’s greatest naval heroes. Decatur’s bold leadership during the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812 helped define the courage and spirit of the early U.S. Navy. Though his life was tragically cut short at just 41, his national stature and leadership left a lasting mark on American history. The White House Historical Association is deeply connected to Stephen Decatur. We are proud to be headquartered at Decatur House, the 181

Stephen Decatur Jr. was born in Maryland on January 5, 1779, and became one of America's most celebrated naval heroes. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 19 in 1798 and was promoted to captain at 25, making him the youngest person ever to reach that rank in Navy history. Decatur gained international fame in February 1804 when he led a daring nighttime raid into Tripoli harbor, where he and 75 sailors destroyed the captured USS Philadelphia by setting it ablaze. British Admiral Horatio Nelson praised