Presley O'Bannon
Encyclopedia
Presley Neville O’Bannon (1776 – September 12, 1850) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps
, famous for his exploits in the First Barbary War
. In recognition of his bravery, he was presented a sword for his part in attempting to restore Prince Hamet Karamanli to his throne at Tripoli
. This sword became the model for the Mameluke Sword
adopted in 1825 for Marine Corps officers and which is part of the dress uniform even today.
, Virginia
, Presley O'Bannon entered the Marine Corps on January 18, 1801. As a first lieutenant assigned to the , he commanded a detachment of seven Marines and two Navy midshipmen in General William Eaton’s small army during the War with Tripoli
. During the combined operations with the U.S. Navy
, he led the successful attack in the Battle of Derna
on April 27, 1805, giving the Marines' Hymn
its line “to the shores of Tripoli”. Although some sources claim that Presley O'Bannon at this battle became the first man to raise the American flag over foreign soil, his superior William Eaton (a former Army officer) actually had done that several months earlier while traveling on the Nile from Alexandria to Cairo. According to tradition, Hamet Karamanli was so impressed with O'Bannon's bravery that he gave his own Mameluke sword
to O'Bannon as a gesture of respect. After O'Bannon returned home, the Virginia legislature presented him with a sword featuring a silver eaglehead hilt and a curved blade modeled after the one Hamet had given him. The blade was inscribed with his name and the date of the battle.
O'Bannon resigned from the Marine Corps as a major on March 6, 1807. He moved to Logan County
, Kentucky
, making his home in Russellville
. He served in the Kentucky State Legislature
in 1812, 1817 and 1820–21, and in the Kentucky State Senate
from 1824 to 1826.
Presley O'Bannon died in Russellville in 1850 at the age of 74. In 1919 his remains were moved to the Frankfort Cemetery
.
Archibald Henderson
in 1825 adopted the Mameluke sword
for wear by all Marine Corps commissioned officers. Since the initial distribution in 1826, the Mameluke sword has been worn except for the years 1859-75, when regulations required Marine officers to wear the model US Army M1850 foot officers' sword. Mameluke swords are worn today by Marine Corps officers in dress uniform.
in his honor:
O'Bannon Hall, at the Basic School in Quantico, Virginia
is named in honor of Presley O'Bannon.
Was played by John Payne in the 1950 Paramount motion picture 'Tripoli'
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, famous for his exploits in the First Barbary War
First Barbary War
The First Barbary War , also known as the Barbary Coast War or the Tripolitan War, was the first of two wars fought between the United States and the North African Berber Muslim states known collectively as the Barbary States...
. In recognition of his bravery, he was presented a sword for his part in attempting to restore Prince Hamet Karamanli to his throne at Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
. This sword became the model for the Mameluke Sword
Mameluke Sword
A Mameluke sword is a cross-hilted, curved, scimitar-like sword historically derived from sabres used by Mamluk warriors of Mamluk Egypt from whom the sword derives its name. It is related to the shamshir, which had its origins in Persia from where the style migrated to India, Egypt and North...
adopted in 1825 for Marine Corps officers and which is part of the dress uniform even today.
Biography
Born in Fauquier CountyFauquier County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 55,139 people, 19,842 households, and 15,139 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 21,046 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, Presley O'Bannon entered the Marine Corps on January 18, 1801. As a first lieutenant assigned to the , he commanded a detachment of seven Marines and two Navy midshipmen in General William Eaton’s small army during the War with Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
. During the combined operations with the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, he led the successful attack in the Battle of Derna
Battle of Derna
The Battle of Derne was a decisive victory of a mercenary army led by a detachment of United States Marines and soldiers over pirate forces along the Barbary coast nation of Tripoli during the First Barbary War...
on April 27, 1805, giving the Marines' Hymn
Marines' Hymn
The "Marines' Hymn" is the official hymn of the United States Marine Corps. It is the oldest official song in the United States military. The "Marines' Hymn" is typically sung at the position of attention as a gesture of respect...
its line “to the shores of Tripoli”. Although some sources claim that Presley O'Bannon at this battle became the first man to raise the American flag over foreign soil, his superior William Eaton (a former Army officer) actually had done that several months earlier while traveling on the Nile from Alexandria to Cairo. According to tradition, Hamet Karamanli was so impressed with O'Bannon's bravery that he gave his own Mameluke sword
Mameluke Sword
A Mameluke sword is a cross-hilted, curved, scimitar-like sword historically derived from sabres used by Mamluk warriors of Mamluk Egypt from whom the sword derives its name. It is related to the shamshir, which had its origins in Persia from where the style migrated to India, Egypt and North...
to O'Bannon as a gesture of respect. After O'Bannon returned home, the Virginia legislature presented him with a sword featuring a silver eaglehead hilt and a curved blade modeled after the one Hamet had given him. The blade was inscribed with his name and the date of the battle.
O'Bannon resigned from the Marine Corps as a major on March 6, 1807. He moved to Logan County
Logan County, Kentucky
Logan County is a county located in the southwest area of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 26,573. Its county seat is Russellville...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, making his home in Russellville
Russellville, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,149 people, 3,064 households, and 1,973 families residing in the city. The population density was 672.1 people per square mile . There were 3,458 housing units at an average density of 325.1 per square mile...
. He served in the Kentucky State Legislature
Kentucky General Assembly
The Kentucky General Assembly, also called the Kentucky Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Kentucky.The General Assembly meets annually in the state capitol building in Frankfort, Kentucky, convening on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January...
in 1812, 1817 and 1820–21, and in the Kentucky State Senate
Kentucky General Assembly
The Kentucky General Assembly, also called the Kentucky Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Kentucky.The General Assembly meets annually in the state capitol building in Frankfort, Kentucky, convening on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January...
from 1824 to 1826.
Presley O'Bannon died in Russellville in 1850 at the age of 74. In 1919 his remains were moved to the Frankfort Cemetery
Frankfort Cemetery
The Frankfort Cemetery is located on East Main Street in Frankfort, Kentucky. The cemetery is the burial site of Daniel Boone and contains the graves of other famous Americans including seventeen Kentucky governors.-History:...
.
Mameluke sword
Because of O'Bannon's Marines' distinguished record during this campaign, Marine Corps CommandantCommandant of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
Archibald Henderson
Archibald Henderson
Archibald Henderson was the longest-serving Commandant of the Marine Corps, serving from 1820 to 1859. He is often referred to as the "Grand old man of the Marine Corps," serving in the United States Marine Corps for 53 years.-Biography:Born in Colchester, Fairfax County, Virginia to successful...
in 1825 adopted the Mameluke sword
Mameluke Sword
A Mameluke sword is a cross-hilted, curved, scimitar-like sword historically derived from sabres used by Mamluk warriors of Mamluk Egypt from whom the sword derives its name. It is related to the shamshir, which had its origins in Persia from where the style migrated to India, Egypt and North...
for wear by all Marine Corps commissioned officers. Since the initial distribution in 1826, the Mameluke sword has been worn except for the years 1859-75, when regulations required Marine officers to wear the model US Army M1850 foot officers' sword. Mameluke swords are worn today by Marine Corps officers in dress uniform.
Namesakes
Three Navy ships have been named USS O'BannonUSS O'Bannon
Three ships of the United States Navy have been named USS O’Bannon, after the early Marine Corps hero Presley O'Bannon , hero of the Battle of Derna.* The first , was a Wickes-class destroyer, launched in 1919 and struck in 1936....
in his honor:
- the USS O'Bannon (DD-177)USS O'Bannon (DD-177)The first USS O'Bannon was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I . She was named for Presley O'Bannon.-History:...
, a Wickes classWickes class destroyerThe Wickes-class destroyers were a group of 111 destroyers built by the United States Navy in 1917-1919. Along with the 6 preceding Caldwell class and 155 subsequent Clemson-class destroyers, they formed the "flush-deck" or "four-stack" class. Only a few were completed in time to serve in World...
destroyerDestroyerIn naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
which was launched in 1919 and struck in 1936; - the USS O’Bannon (DD-450)USS O'Bannon (DD-450)USS O'Bannon , a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon , the Marine Corps's "hero of Derna"....
, a Fletcher-classFletcher class destroyerThe Fletcher class were a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. The class was designed in 1939 as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types...
destroyer which was launched in 1942 and struck in 1970; and - the USS O'Bannon (DD-987)USS O'Bannon (DD-987)USS O'Bannon , a Spruance-class destroyer, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon , an early hero of the US Marine Corps....
, a Spruance-classSpruance class destroyerThe Spruance-class destroyer was developed by the United States to replace a large number of World War II-built Allen M. Sumner- and Gearing-class destroyers, and was the primary destroyer built for the U.S. Navy during the 1970s....
destroyer, which was launched in 1978 and struck in 2005.
O'Bannon Hall, at the Basic School in Quantico, Virginia
Quantico, Virginia
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there are 561 people, 295 households, and 107 families living in the town. The population density is . There are 359 housing units at an average density of .-Racial composition:...
is named in honor of Presley O'Bannon.
See also
Further reading
- London, Joshua E. Victory in Tripoli: How America's How America's War with the Barbary Pirates Established the U.S. Navy and Shaped a Nation. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005.
- Smethurst, David. Tripoli: The United States' First War on Terror. New York: Presidio Press, 2006.
- Zacks, Richard. The Pirate Coast: Thomas Jefferson, the First Marines, and the Secret Mission of 1805. Hyperion, 2005.
Was played by John Payne in the 1950 Paramount motion picture 'Tripoli'