Although John Paul Jones was not a Revolutionary soldier on the land, yet he was "the Washington of the Seas."
He was born in 1747 and died 1792. He was the first to hoist an American naval flag on board an American frigate. He fought the first naval engagement under the United States' national ensign or flag.
He commanded the Bon Homme Richard in the great sea fight with the Serapis in the English Channel.
He said, after the commander of the Serapis had been knighted, "if I should have the good fortune to meet him again, I will make a lord of him." He was presented with a sword by Louis XVI for his services against the English. He was appointed rear-admiral of the Russian fleet by Catherine II.
These are but a few of the many men who did so valiantly their part during the Revolutionary period.
Susie Gentry,
State Vice-Regent, D. A. R.
(A talk made to the public school teachers of Williamson County—at the request of the superintendent of instruction—in Franklin, Tennessee, January 13, 1906.)—American Monthly Magazine.