New Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli Joins the U.S. Navy

[GulfCoast66]

17. Read up. I learned it is high school history class.

It was an event that kind of set a policy we have kept forever.

The Barbary states in North Africa had for decades been taking ships from European nations and enslaving their sailors. And they routinely paid ransom to get them back. Had they not, the men would have been sold into slavery, perhaps castrated and forced to convert religions.

So they took a US ship. Jefferson refused to pay the ransom. He made a famous quote. Which I’m about to murder because I am too lazy to look it up.

‘Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute.’

So we sent almost our entire Navy over there to put a stop to it. The only thing I remember is the Decatur led the raid.

Anyway we kicked their ass, freed our men and they did not fuck with us anymore.

Again, I looked nothing up because I love when DUers correct me on these things.

But the most important result of this was not the actual raid or the results. But strategically; it made European nations sit up and realize we were serious about the whole Nation thing. And I learned this in 10th grade in Arkansas!

It was a seminal event in not only the Marine Corps history and tradition but the Navy’s. It helped galvanize us as Americans not a group of states.

You should look it up. I’m sure my 40 year memory is faulty but it made a real impression on me about not backing down to bullies. About that time I had my growth spurt and was taking the action necessary to stop the guys who had been bullying me since middle school.

Have a nice evening.