DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Quasi-War with France 1798-1801
With independence won, the last ship of the Continental Navy was sold
in 1785, and the Nation soon experienced the consequences of neglecting
sea power. The actions of Mediterranean pirates caused Congress in 1794
to provide a Navy for the protection of commerce. Subsequently, depredations
by the privateers of Revolutionary France against the expanding merchant
shipping of the United States led to an undeclared war fought entirely at
sea.
In this quasi-war the new U.S. Navy received its baptism of fire. Captain
Thomas Truxtun's insistence on the highest standards of crew training paid
handsome dividends as the frigate Constellation won two complete victories
over French men-of-war. U.S. naval squadrons, operating principally in West
Indian waters, sought out and attacked enemy privateers until France agreed
to an honorable settlement.
3 Bronze Stars
1. Constellation-L'Insurgente (9 February 1799)
2. Constellation-La Vengeance (1-2 February 1800)
3. Anti-privateering operations
Last Update: 1 October 96