page_title: Stephen Decatur
section_title: Legacy
hierarchical_section_title: Stephen Decatur / Legacy
caption_attribution_description: English: $20 Silver Certificate, Series of 1878 (Fr. Ref#307), depicting Stephen Decatur. Engraved signatures of Scofield (Register of the Treasury) and Gilfillan (Treasurer of the United States). Countersigned by Albert U. Wyman.
context_page_description: Stephen Decatur Jr. was a United States naval officer and commodore. 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. His father, Stephen Decatur Sr., was a commodore in the U.S. Navy, and brought the younger Stephen into the world of ships and sailing early on. Shortly after attending college, Decatur followed in his father's footsteps and joined the U.S. Navy at the age of nineteen as a midshipman.
  Decatur supervised the construction of several U.S. naval vessels, one of which he later commanded. Promoted at age 25, he is the youngest man to reach the rank of captain in the history of the United States Navy. He served under three presidents, and played a major role in the early development of the American navy. In almost every theater of operation, Decatur's service was characterized by acts of heroism and exceptional performance. His service in the Navy took him through both Barbary Wars in North Africa, the Quasi-War with France, and the War of 1812 with Britain. He was renowned for his natural ability to lead and for his genuine concern for the seamen under his command.
context_section_description: Although he died at a relatively young age, Decatur helped determine the direction of the young nation playing a significant role establishing its identity. For his heroism in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812 Decatur emerged as an icon of American naval history and was roundly admired by most of his contemporaries as well as the citizenry:
  Congressional Gold Medal awarded January 29, 1813, to honor capture of HMS Macedonian by USS United States under his command.
  In honor of Stephen Decatur, five U.S. Navy ships have been named USS Decatur.
  At the urging of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the U.S. Post Office Department issued a series of five stamps honoring the U.S. Navy and various naval heroes, Decatur being one of the few chosen, appearing on the 2-cent issue, along with fellow officer Macdonough.
  An engraved portrait of Decatur appears on the Series of 1878/1880 $20 silver certificates.
  Stephen Decatur's home in Washington, D.C. is a museum owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
  At least 46 communities in the United States have been named after Stephen Decatur, including Decatur, Alabama, Decatur, Georgia, Decatur, Illinois, and Decatur, Texas.
  Seven counties in the United States have been named after Stephen Decatur, including Decatur County, Alabama, Decatur County, Georgia, Decatur County, Indiana, Decatur County, Iowa, Decatur County, Kansas, and Decatur County, Tennessee. The Georgia county named for Steven Decatur has its county seat at Bainbridge.
  In honor to Stephen Decatur, the Borough of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, incorporated a street in his name.
  Decatur Avenue in Norman, Oklahoma, is named in honor of Decatur, as is Decatur Boulevard in Las Vegas, Decatur Street in Mineral Point, Wisconsin and Decatur Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  In honor of Stephen Decatur, in the county of Worcester, Maryland, where he was born, a street, monument, park, and middle and high schools are named after him. His birthplace is marked in the current town of Berlin, Maryland.
  A main thoroughfare in New Orleans' French Quarter is named Decatur in his honor.
  An island in the San Juan Archipelago (Washington state) is named Decatur Island
  Decatur Township, in Van Buren County, Michigan is named in his honor.
caption: Decatur depicted on the Series 1878 $20 Silver Certificate
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