War of 1812 United States Naval Officer. He was the naval hero of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

Born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, at the age of 13, he entered the United States Navy as a midshipman. In 1812, he was given the rank of Commodore and placed in command of the forces on Lake Erie after war broke out with England. No ships were in existence there, so he had to build a fleet, a very difficult endeavor as iron, cannon, anchors, ropes, and supplies had to be carried a long distance to the site near Erie, Pennsylvania. Perry and his men successfully completed six vessels by July 1813, which were joined by others from Buffalo.

On September 10, 1813, this American fleet fought a British squadron off the island of Put-in-Bay, Ohio. Perry was aboard his flagship,USS Lawrence, which took heavy British fire. Carrying his battle flag emblazoned with the words, "Don't give up the ship," he abandoned the heavily damagedUSS Lawrence,and, by small boat, transferred to the nearbyUSS Niagara and sailed her into the British battle line. His cannon fire from theUSS Niagara compelled a British surrender. Perry reboarded the heavily-damagedUSS Lawrence, received the British surrender on her deck, and penned the famous words, "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." He was the first in history to defeat an entire British squadron and successfully bring back every ship to his base.

In 1819, he was sent to Venezuela on a diplomatic mission during which he contracted yellow fever and died at sea near Trinidad on his 34th birthday. He was first buried atLapeyrouse Cemetery in Port of Spain, Trinidad, with full military honors. In 1826, his remains were moved to Newport, Rhode Island, for burial.

Many sites and towns across America are named for Admiral Perry, however none as immense and stunning as thePerry National Monument in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, which commemorates his victory during the War of 1812. The 352 foot Doric column edifice with an observation deck is also the burial place for some of the men, both American and British who perished in the Battle of Lake Erie. Six different United States Navy ships have been named for him, including the guided missile frigateUSS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7), which was the lead ship in its class.

War of 1812 United States Naval Officer. He was the naval hero of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

Born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, at the age of 13, he entered the United States Navy as a midshipman. In 1812, he was given the rank of Commodore and placed in command of the forces on Lake Erie after war broke out with England. No ships were in existence there, so he had to build a fleet, a very difficult endeavor as iron, cannon, anchors, ropes, and supplies had to be carried a long distance to the site near Erie, Pennsylvania. Perry and his men successfully completed six vessels by July 1813, which were joined by others from Buffalo.

On September 10, 1813, this American fleet fought a British squadron off the island of Put-in-Bay, Ohio. Perry was aboard his flagship,USS Lawrence, which took heavy British fire. Carrying his battle flag emblazoned with the words, "Don't give up the ship," he abandoned the heavily damagedUSS Lawrence,and, by small boat, transferred to the nearbyUSS Niagara and sailed her into the British battle line. His cannon fire from theUSS Niagara compelled a British surrender. Perry reboarded the heavily-damagedUSS Lawrence, received the British surrender on her deck, and penned the famous words, "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." He was the first in history to defeat an entire British squadron and successfully bring back every ship to his base.

In 1819, he was sent to Venezuela on a diplomatic mission during which he contracted yellow fever and died at sea near Trinidad on his 34th birthday. He was first buried atLapeyrouse Cemetery in Port of Spain, Trinidad, with full military honors. In 1826, his remains were moved to Newport, Rhode Island, for burial.

Many sites and towns across America are named for Admiral Perry, however none as immense and stunning as thePerry National Monument in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, which commemorates his victory during the War of 1812. The 352 foot Doric column edifice with an observation deck is also the burial place for some of the men, both American and British who perished in the Battle of Lake Erie. Six different United States Navy ships have been named for him, including the guided missile frigateUSS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7), which was the lead ship in its class.

What was Oliver Hazard famous for?