In February 1804, under Commodore Edward Preble’s command, Lieutenant Stephen Decatur slipped into Tripoli Harbor aboard the captured and disguised ketch Intrepid. There, he and his crew boarded the Tripolitans’ prize, USS Philadelphia, and made the heavy decision to set her ablaze to prevent her use as a Barbary warship. This was one of many special operations at sea, one that was a daring act and cost no American lives; yet it struck fear into our enemies and forever cemented Decatur’s legend.

Happy 20th anniversary to the guided-missile destroyer USS PREBLE (DDG-88) whose namesake, Edward Preble, served as a commanding officer aboard USS Constitution during the Barbary Wars! Two chief petty officers from Preble joined us to experience naval heritage and history dating back to Old Ironsides' commissioning 225 years ago. | USS Constitution