Evening star., 1936-12-26
Some Pointers on Naval
History for MIR. w. e. Ryan

bearing the signature OF w. Z. Ryan"
appeared expressing shocked surprise for
alleged injustice done the memory OF
Commodore John Barry, Revolutionary
hero of the Navy, in having no COM
memorative stamp issued in his honor
and commenting adversely upon the
selection of other patriots whose services
and names have thus been perpetuated.
One of the errors made by Mr. Ryan
has already been adequately answered
by reader in The Star-Mr. Robert c.
Bilsborough.
In addition to the mistake referred
to In Mr.. Bilsboroughs letter, 1t may
be mentioned that Mr.. Ryan is not very
happy In emitting the name OF the only
other naval hero OF the Revolutionary
War to be so signally honored. one
almost universally conceded to be the
father OF the American Navy, John Paul
Jones, whose statue stands OH the shore
Of the Tidal Basin. Potomac Park.
As far as this writer knows there Is
no monument erected to Stephen De-
catur here in Washington In spite OF
his prominence. Neither Decatur nor
Macdonough. the claims for both OF
whom for recognition by q grateful c0un-
try Mr.. Ryan denies, served in the Revo-
luton for the very simple reason that
neither was born until after that strug-
Gle. Both belonged TO u later era, an
other generation, and each served III
subsequent wars in which each won re-
nown. The Tripolitan and the War OF
1912. Their serviCes are commemorated
In later issues, the 2-cent series Of
stamps. along with other selected repre-
sentatives OF the Army. This In no way
belittles the achievements by nor fame
due John Barry and Paul Jones, VINO
antedated them In service.
Services are always held at the Paul
Jones Monument In celebration OF what
is known as Navy day" which Is also
the anniversary Of the birthday OF
Theodore Roosevelt. whose memory Is
revered by the naval service because
OF his great interest, while President,
i'm developing and building up the Navy.
Not "0ne wreath" but dozens are laid
at this shrine by representatives. both
men and women, OF all the patriotic
societies whose headquarters are located
In the Nations Capital and appropriate
ceremonies are conducted. 1t Is meant
as no shir upon the memory OF other
naval heroes that this Is done, but
because the name OF John Paul Jones
Is outstanding and pre-eminent IN the
annals OF naval history, both as peer
less leader of men and because Of his
dauntless valor and superb character as
q man.
AS for his reference TO Thorn as Mac
donough, contemporary OF Stephen
Decatur and not OF John Barry. and
whose likeness has been engraved In one
of the second series t2-cenD stamps, 1t
would behoove Mr.. Ryan to read up
on history little more carefully before
belittllng Macdonough's place In niche
Oh The escutcheon of fame. His letter,
as printed In The Star, betrays woeful
ignorance when he states mot / citi-
zen out OF 100000 Of today can tell
who Thomas Macdonough was; and
again referring to his services in COM
parison to Barry's rs not equaling the
latter in the number OF prizes brought
In. presumably during the Revolution.
As has already been stated herein.
neither Decatur nor Macdonoush WAS
old enough to serve during the Revo-
lutionary War, the latter having been
born after the close OF hostilities, and
both entered the Navy at the end OF the
century. Each contributed his share
and a valiant part 1t was!-as soon as
they could get into active service, in the
glorious pages written by the Navy dur
ing their respective lifetimes.
AS history records, in addition to the
brilliant exploit by Decatur before
Tripoli in cutting out and destroying the
| frigate Philadelphia, which had been
captured by the Barbary pirates. Stephen
Decatur, in command of the United
s1a ND
frigate Macedonian during the War OF
1872.
As for Macdonough. his place In his
tory is even greater and more secure.
Indeed. IL is doubtful If any officer in
the entire shining history of the Navy
contributed more 10 the American cause
during the second war with Great
Britain than did Thomas Mcdonough In
the great victory OF Lake Champlain.
Had 1t not been for Macdonough's great
| victory at the critical time just when
the fortunes Of the American arms were
| at their lowest ebb, after Washington
City had been captured and burned by
| the British forces under Gen. Ross and
Admiral Lord Cockburn, and the land
forces OF the United States denlOralized
and beaten, the New England States
would have been split apart from New
York and the others, thereby compelling
| them to sue for peace, and the war
would have been lost. 1t is more than
possible that the Union would have been
| dissolved.
Macdonough's victory, therefore,
viewed strategically and politically, was
more important in the light Of history
than that OF Commodore Perry on Lake
| Erie in moral effect and prestige. and
| commensurate. even, i'm its influence
upon the treaty Of Client, which was
signed soon sfterward. with Lord Mel
sons In the great battle over Napoleons
feet at Trafalgar
SO much for Thomas Macdonoush,
whose fame, so says Mr.. Ryan, is un-
| known TO the mass Of our citizens. Had
| he been an Englishman fighting for his
country he would have earned peerage
and a crypt in Westminster Abbey L
wonder If Mr. Ryan is aware that there
stands at the site of this victory, the
battle of Plattsburg. monument to the
| memory OF Maedonough almost as I'M
posing and majestic as the washington
| Monument here.
| CONSTANTINE M. PERKINS,