Commodore John Barry, 1775-1803

During the Revolution, captained the 16-gun brig Lexington and captured the British tender Edward, the first prize taken in combat by our new Navy. While commanding 32-gun Alliance, he captured many prizes, including the British sloops of war Atlanta and Trespassy. Also fought the last naval engagement of the Revolutionary War in January 1783 between Alliance and British warship Sybille. When the United States Navy was formed in 1794, he was the senior naval officer.