He is regarded as the father of our Navy. He was considered a man that had an insurmountable fighting spirit. He took on challenges that and odds that often seemed impossible, but no matter what, always seemed to somehow come out the victor. His life was essentially defined by his most famous quote. When all hope seemed lost and there was little chance of victory, this man stood up and calmly uttered, “I have not yet begun to fight.” John Paul Jones was a man, then a hero, and finally a legend. While it is easy to focus on the history of John Paul Jones that occurred while he served in the Continental Navy, it only tells a portion of the story. In order to fully appreciate Jones, his full history must be analyzed both before and after he served aboard the ‘Bonhomme Richard”. …show more content…
He was born John Paul (he added the Jones later in life) in Scotland, the fifth of seven children, to a man that had never stepped foot on the high seas. His father was a gardener and Jones did not show any interest towards sea faring until he was a teenager. At thirteen, Jones wanted to visit his eldest brother in the colonies in Virginia. Since his family was in no way nobility, the only way that young Jones could obtain travel was to serve on a ship. So he indentured himself as a ship’s boy on the Scottish merchant ship ‘Friendship’, thus beginning his long and illustrious naval career. Jones’s early life was fairly ordinary for a British citizen. There were no obvious inclinations that he was going to go into the navy or be anything other than a gardener like his
John Paul grew up on this estate and to those who watched him grow up, it seemed that he always had a fascination and a passion to sail something. Whether it was a leaf as a child or a bit of wood blown by a small paper sail, John Paul was a seaman from birth. He attended Kirkbean School but spent much of his time at the small port of Carsethorn on the Solway Firth. As he grew up others often found him teaching his playmates to maneuver their little boats to mimic a naval battle, while he, taking his stand on the tiny cliff overlooking the small river, shouted shrill commands at his imaginary fleet.
Thomas, Evan. John Paul Jones: Sailor, hero, father of the American Navy. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003.
Thom Jones writes of war, boxing, sickness and sorrow with a blunt air of familiarity and a cyclone of words. His characters -- much like the author himself, who suffers from epilepsy and diabetes -- have been pummeled by the world, but they refuse to be knocked out. His three short story collection -- The Pugilist at Rest, a National Book Awards finalist; Cold Snap and now SONNY LISTON WAS A FRIEND OF MINE (Little, Brown, $23) -- showcases a supreme writer in the throes of a thinking man's agony.
Born in Virginia, to mother Martha Puller and father Matthew Puller, he grew to become a well recognized marine globally (Russell & Cohn, 2012). His father’s dead while he was 10 years did not stop him to achieve a high point career; in fact, his childhood lifestyle of listening to war stories...
Born in Savannah, Georgia, the colonial capital of the colony, John Milledge was born into one of the first families to travel to the “New World” in 1757. Milledge served numerous different higher level political leadership positions as well as fighting for independence in the Revolutionary War. Throughout acts of bravery, perseverance, and patriotism, John Milledge became one of the most influential men in the history of the state of Georgia.
Staff Sergeant Shawn Jones is enthusiastically recommended for the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for the following actions. A classified version of the summary of action will be submitted to the board members for review.
His military career began when Jackson was just 18. In June of 1842, he secured an appointment to enroll at the prestigious West Point Academy. Jackson was fortunate to have this opportunity since he was not the first choice of candidate selected to enroll. The first man selected chose another path enabling Jackson to quickly register in his place. Unfortunately, Jackson’s lack of formal education was a grave disadvantage when compared to the rest of the cadets. He was shy and awkward and many of his c...
Each stage in Mr. Jones’s life presents a crisis or conflict and throughout those stages observation was conducted and the conclusion was made that his growth and change continued throughout his life. His effort to rehabilitate himself is admirable and courageous. He is now chosen to work for an organization that helps to rehabilitate
Not only were Nathanael Greene and Nathan Hale heroic, John Paul Jones proved that he was a great hero when he won his battle at sea on September 23, 1779. Even though Jones knew that the Bonhomme Richard, his out-dated ship with its inexperienced crew was no match to the British ship, the Serapis he still attacked (Phillips 171). The 50-gun Serapis with an experienced crew thought that they could easily defeat the attacking ship, while protecting their merchant ships in the process (Schulman). The ships battled for what seemed like hours with short range cannon fire and eventually they started boarding each other when the famous quote, “I have not yet begun to fight,” was said by Jones, when the British captain asked him if he would surrender.
He didn't have a very exciting life when he was younger but he did grow up sailing on short trips on the English coast. Since a young age he knew he wanted to be on the water. When he was older he sailed on countless voyages.
Captain Aubrey exhibits and demonstrates leadership characteristics that inspire his crew to be the best that they can be. One of the most important leadership traits that Captain Jack has is a single-minded focus on his purpose. All of his decisions are held up against the g...
Some people may believe “If I Fail He Dies” is the most influential for the fact of appealing to women. Others may believe “Will You Fight Now” is the most persuading for depicting what America would be like if no one was willing to fight. And a select group could believe “Food Will Win The War” is most influential for bringing forth a spirit of giving, but none of these represent the American spirit that “The Navy Needs You” represents. I believe the patriotism “ The Navy Needs You” conveys is incontestable and most effective in bringing support to the
I first worked with JP while stationed aboard the CGC CHASE in 2003. At the time, he was a Third Class Petty Officer working for the Main Propulsion Division (Main Prop) and I was the Auxiliary Division Chief. I soon realized JP was the “go to” person for all things main prop including helping me with my watch stander qualifications and main prop systems’ drawings. It is unusual for a third class petty officer to possess the level of maturity and work ethic as he did and as a result, junior members and senior members alike sought him out for both his expertise and mentorship.
Perhaps the most noticeable part of David Farragut's life is his career in the a Civil War as a courageous navy officer. Not only that, but he played an important role in the Battle of Louisiana, Vicksburg and Mobile Bay. His famous line, "Damn the torpedoes!" is remembered by naval officers as a courageous Farragut struggles to navigate torpedo infested waters at the Battle of Mobile Bay. An officer from a young age, Farragut is what any navy desires: a smart, brave, and loyal commander. Farragut was born on July 5, 1801 to Major Jorge Farragut. Jorge Farragut was a Spanish sailor in the US army during the American Revolution. Farragut was originally named James Glasgow Farragut; he was born in Tennessee. A few years after Farragut was born, his family moved to Louisiana. While his father, Jorge, was fishing, he came across a rowboat that held an unconscious old man. Jorge nursed the old man until he died. Later, a man by the name of David Porter claimed the man as his father. Porter was a rising star of the U.S. Navy. As a display of gratitude for Jorge, Porter offered to take young Farragut out to sea as a sort of navy apprentice,also known as a midshipman. Jorge was grateful and immediately accepted the offer. A young Farragut entered the navy at age 9. To honor his foster father, Farragut later changed his name from James to David.
During the period of 1839 to 1846 in Texas history, the infant Republic built and powered a small force of naval vessels against the new nation of Mexico. As with the majority of all wars, navies are never the main military power that settles the conflict but are the strongest of contributors (Wells 2.) This occurred in the Texas War of Independence, where the Texas Navy has little indication in text but was an important asset to the victory. Reasons for such an asset being overlooked are based upon the notable actions that took place ashore in the heroic defense of the Alamo and the victorious battle of San Jacinto lead by the Commander in Chief of the Texas Republic, Sam Houston (Davis 56.) Also, the lack of dramatic sea battles with the few vessels employed in the navy was another reason for their accomplishments to go unnoticed (Navy Department 2.) Above all the importance of seapower was but little understood during the time period and was not fully appreciated until the late 19th century after the publicized works of Mahan were noted by the powers of the world (Wells i.) As understood by the former Commodore of the Navy, Moore, "the Texas Navy was the difference between a Texas reconquered by Mexico in 1843 and a Texas Republic admitted into the Union in 1846 (Navy Department 1.)"