Oliver Hazard Perry

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (August 23, 1785 – August 23, 1819) was an officer in the United States Navy. He served in the War of 1812 against Great Britain and earned the nickname "Hero of Lake Erie" for leading American forces in the decisive naval victory at the Battle of Lake Erie.

Related Topics:
Commodore - August 23 - 1785 - 1819 - United States Navy - War of 1812 - Great Britain - Lake Erie - Battle of Lake Erie

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was the son of Captain Christopher Raymond Perry (December 4, 1760 - June 8, 1818) and Sarah Wallace Alexander (1764 - December 4, 1830), and his younger brother was Matthew Calbraith Perry.

Related Topics:
Christopher Raymond Perry - December 4 - 1760 - June 8 - 1818 - Sarah Wallace Alexander - 1764 - 1830 - Matthew Calbraith Perry

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Educated in Newport, Rhode Island, Perry was appointed a midshipman on 7 April, 1799 and assigned to his father's frigate, General Greene. He first experienced combat on 9 February, 1800 off Haiti. During the First Barbary War, he served in Adams and commanded Nautilus during the capture of Derna.

Related Topics:
Newport, Rhode Island - Midshipman - 7 April - 1799 - ''General Greene'' - 9 February - 1800 - Haiti - First Barbary War - ''Adams'' - ''Nautilus'' - Derna

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At his request during the War of 1812 he was given command of U.S. Naval forces on Lake Erie. He supervised the building of a small fleet at what is now Erie, Pennsylvania. On September 10, 1813 Perry's fleet defended against an attacking British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie. His battle report after victory is famous: "We have met the enemy and they are ours".

Related Topics:
Lake Erie - Erie, Pennsylvania - September 10 - 1813 - Battle of Lake Erie

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While this opened Canada up to possible invasion, it simultaneously protected the entire Ohio Valley. It was the only significant fleet engagement of the war.

Related Topics:
Canada - Ohio Valley

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1819, during an expedition to Venezuela, he died of disease caused by indigenous insects.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~