Auction details
9:00 AM PT - Feb 20th, 2012
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Flag, 34-star American Civil War from the Stephen Decatur Family - (1861-1863) The wool bunting flag is machine sewn with cotton stars and hand-sewn grommets in canvas hoist. The Decatur Family cloth tag.
Size: 41: on hoist and 87" on fly Weight: Condition: half dozen holes, the largest approx 1.5"' frayed ends, staining, color very good. Stephen Decatur, Jr. (5 January 1779 – 22 March 1820) was an American naval officer notable for his many naval victories in the early 19th century. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland in Worcester county, the son of a U.S. Naval Officer who served during the American Revolution. Shortly after attending college Decatur aptly followed in his father's footsteps and joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 19. He was the youngest man to reach the rank of captain in the history of the United States Navy. Decatur's father, Stephan Decatur Sr., was also a Commodore in the U.S. Navy which brought the younger Stephen into the world of ships and sailing early on. Decatur supervised the construction of several U.S. naval vessels, one of which he would later take command of. He was affluent among Washington society and was personal friends with James Monroe and other Washington dignitaries. Decatur joined the U.S. Navy in 1798 as a midshipman and served under three presidents, playing a major role in the development of the young American Navy. In almost every theater of operation Decatur's service was characterized with acts of heroism and exceptional performance in the many areas of military endeavor. His service in the Navy took him through the first and second Barbary Wars of north Africa, the Quasi-War with France, and the War of 1812 with Britain. During this period of time he served aboard and commanded many naval vessels and ultimately became a member of the Board of Navy Commissioners. He built a large home in Washington, known as Decatur House, on Lafayette Square, which later became the home to a number of famous Americans, and was the center of Washington society in the early 19th century. He was renowned for his natural ability to lead and for his genuine concern for the seaman under his command. Decatur's distinguished career in the Navy would come to a premature end when he lost his life in a duel with a rival officer. His numerous naval victories against Britain, France and the Barbary states established the United States as a world power comparable to Britain and France. Decatur subsequently emerged as a national hero in his own lifetime, becoming the first post revolutionary war hero where his name and legacy, like that of John Paul Jones, soon came to be identified with the United States Navy. Condition reporthalf dozen holes, the largest approx 1.5"' frayed ends, staining, color very good.
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