IA 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. J. RES. 38 
Recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United 
States Navy. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 17, 2005 
Mr. KING of New York (for himself, Mr. FOSSELLA, Mr. NEAL of Massachu-
setts, Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. ISRAEL, Mrs. MCCARTHY, Mrs. 
MALONEY, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, 
Mr. SOUDER, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. EVANS, 
Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. HOLDEN, and Mr. BISHOP of New 
York) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Armed Services 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer 
of the United States Navy. 
Whereas John Barry, American merchant marine captain and 
native of County Wexford, Ireland, volunteered his serv-
ices to the Continental Navy during the American War 
for Independence and was assigned by the Continental 
Congress as captain of the Lexington, taking command 
of that vessel on March 14, 1776, and later participating 
in the victorious Trenton campaign; 
Whereas the quality and effectiveness of Captain John Bar-
ry’s service to the American war effort was recognized
•HJ 38 IH 
not only by George Washington but also by the enemies 
of the new Nation; 
Whereas Captain John Barry rejected British General Lord 
Howe’s flattering offer to desert Washington and the pa-
triot cause, stating: ‘‘Not the value and command of the 
whole British fleet can lure me from the cause of my 
country.’’; 
Whereas Captain John Barry, while in command of the frig-
ate Alliance, successfully transported French gold to 
America to help finance the American War for Independ-
ence and also won numerous victories at sea; 
Whereas when the First Congress, acting under the new Con-
stitution of the United States, authorized the raising and 
construction of the United States Navy, it was to Captain 
John Barry that President George Washington turned to 
build and lead the new Nation’s infant Navy, the suc-
cessor to the Continental Navy of the War for Independ-
ence; 
Whereas Captain John Barry supervised the building of his 
flagship, the U.S.S. United States; 
Whereas on February 22, 1797, President Washington per-
sonally conferred upon Captain John Barry, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, the rank of Cap-
tain, with ‘‘Commission No. 1’’, United States Navy, 
dated June 7, 1794; 
Whereas John Barry served as the senior officer of the 
United States Navy, with the title of ‘‘Commodore’’ (in 
official correspondence), under Presidents Washington, 
John Adams, and Jefferson; 
Whereas as commander of the first United States naval 
squadron under the Constitution of the United States,
•HJ 38 IH 
which included the U.S.S. Constitution (‘‘Old Ironsides’’), 
John Barry was a Commodore, with the right to fly a 
broad pendant, which made him a flag officer; and 
Whereas in this sense it can be said that Commodore John 
Barry was the first flag officer of the United States 
Navy: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
That Commodore John Barry is recognized, and is hereby 
honored, as the first flag officer of the United States 
Navy. 
Æ