In February 1804, under Commodore Edward Preble’s command, Lieutenant Stephen Decatur slipped into Tripoli Harbor aboard the captured and disguised ketch Intrepid. There, he and his crew boarded the Tripolitans’ prize, USS Philadelphia, and made the heavy decision to set her ablaze to prevent her use as a Barbary warship. This was one of many special operations at sea, one that was a daring act and cost no American lives; yet it struck fear into our enemies and forever cemented Decatur’s legend. 🔥⚓️ HUZZAH! 📸 Image credit: Naval History Magazine (USNI). #AmericasNavy250 #USSConstitution #OldIronsides #NavalHistory #BarbaryWars #StephenDecatur #USNavy #FirstRaid #MaritimeHeritage