So this isn't monumental military history of strategic consequence or ground-breaking tactics, but it is a fascinating story and one near and dear to me and all those who have served in the U.S. Navy. The Father of the U.S. Navy: John Paul Jones.
A little over 100 years ago today, the remains of John Paul Jones were finally laid to rest in a crypt beneath the United States Naval Academy Chapel. Of course the question most ask is, if John Paul Jones was a hero of the American Revolution and died in Paris in 1792, how is it that he wasn't buried in the U.S. until over a century later in 1913? I'm glad you asked.
First a bit about JPJ, for those unfamiliar with his whole story. Although School House Rock overlooked Jones, his name usually makes it into elementary school discussions of the American War for Independence. Born 'John Paul' in Arbigland, Kirkbean, Kirkcudbright, Scotland, on 6 July 1747, he apprenticed to a merchant at age 13 and went to sea. By 21, JPJ had earned command of his first ship, the brig John (how appropriate). He later immigrated to the American Colonies, assumed the surname Jones, and in 1775 he joined the Continental Navy serving aboard the flagship Alfred and by 1777 had his own command. Jones commanded the ships Ranger, Bonhomme Richard (a former merchant and gift of France), and Serapis (commandeered in battle), and spent the majority of the war preying on British merchant ships in the eastern Atlantic. He was considered a 'pirate' by the British Crown.
JPJ was made legendary following the Battle of Flamborough Head between four Continental ships and two British escorts of a merchant convoy. After a murderous broadside from the larger, more heavily armed HMS Serapis set the Bonhomme Richard on fire, her captain asked Jones, "Has your ship struck?" meaning struck her colors or surrendered. Jones replied, "I have not yet begun to fight." The battle was ferocious as the ships became physically locked together, and snipers in Bonhomme Richard's rigging reigned terror upon the British sailors. In the end, the Americans prevailed and Jones eventually transferred his men to Serapis as his own ship was so badly damaged it sank the following day. USNA History - Battle of Flamborough Head.
“The Action Between His Majesties Ship Serapis, Commanded by Capt Pearson & The Bonhomme Richard Commanded by Paul Jones, Sept. 23, 1779” by William Elliott
Following the revolution, the young United States of America struggled to keep a viable Navy afloat (I highly recommend Ian Toll's "Six Frigates" for that incredible story - God bless John Adams). JPJ, with a lot of fight remaining and no real employment in America, offered his services to Empress Catherine of Russia, who commissioned Jones a Rear Admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy. By 1790, Jones returned to Paris where he died in 1792. He was only 45. Jones was buried in Saint Louis Cemetery, which was used primarily for protestants in France and was later abandoned and covered by a dump.
In June of 1899, the U.S. Ambassador to France, Gen. Horace Porter, began the search for JPJ's remains. It took Porter nearly six years pouring through old records, but he eventually determined the location and the manner in which Jones had been buried. Gen. Porter's story was told in a 1955 article in the Naval Institute's magazine Proceedings. It turns out Jones was nearly penniless, and he was buried through the generosity and charity of a Frenchman who recognized Jones' significance to the American Revolution and the country that he had served.
“His body was put in a leaden coffin on the 20th, that, in case the United States, which he had so essentially served and with so much honor, should claim his remains, they might more easily be removed.”
In fact, Jones' body was essentially 'pickled' in alcohol in the lead coffin preserving his features and making for relatively easy recognition when he was exhumed. His remains were then transported to America by the warship USS Brooklyn.
President Theodore Roosevelt presided over a 1906 tribute to John Paul Jones at the U.S. Naval Academy, when the remains had returned to the United States. Then, on 26 January 1913, John Paul Jones was laid to rest beneath the Naval Academy Chapel in a black marble sarcophagus held by bronze dolphins diving over waves. The crypt is open to visitors, and I highly recommend stopping in if you ever make to Annapolis. They have many of the JPJ's artifacts on display.
Hope you all enjoyed this (if you've gotten this far). For more 11W Military history article, JKH1232 has a complete listing at his 11W Military History Blog.
TL:DR - JPJ was born in Scotland, kicked some British ass, sailed for Russia, died poor in France, wasn't brought home for 100 years, and has a killer resting place.
