U.S. Naval hero Stephen Decatur
With Veteran’s Day here at last Balladeer’s Blog takes a last look at additional U.S. military actions against Muslim forces.
*** February 16th, 1804 – On October 31st of the previous year the USS Philadelphia had hit an uncharted reef in the Mediterranean Sea while pursuing a Tripolitan Muslim ship. The Philadelphia had foundered and been seized along with her crew by the Muslims of what is now Libya.
On February 16th of 1804 the naval forces under Commodore Edward Preble pulled off a daring action which today would be considered a commando raid or Navy Seals operation. The objective: destroying the captured Philadelphia which the Muslim forces had refitted to guard Tripoli Harbor. Continue reading
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