No, the Pope did not serve in the US Navy. This is a person we all know about, but few know where he came from before he served in the Navy. I am talking about the first of many heroes of the Navy, John Paul Jones.

He was born in Kirkcudbright, Scotland July 6, 1747. He first went to sea at the age of 13. He spent many years sailing on different ships to and from the colonies, Africa, and England. Slowly he moved up the ranks however, in 1768 his fortune changed rather quickly while sailing on the brig John. Both the captain and leading mate died. Young John safely guided the ship into port and its owners made him master along with 10% of the cargo.

On different voyages to the America’s Paul was accused of using too sever of punishments on his crew. On one such voyage he killed a member of his crew over a dispute on wages. The man was considered a mutineer and Paul claimed self defense. Later he moved the America and added Jones to his name.

As tensions with England grew Jones joined the newly established Continental Navy. He was also the first person to be promoted the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He sailed different ships for the Navy and eventually took command of the Ranger and headed to France.

In 1779 Jones took command of the 42 gun ship, Bon Homme Richard, named for Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard. On September 23 Jones faced the 50 gun HMS Serapis. During this battle he spoke his now famous words, “I have not yet begun to fight.” This was in answer to a call for him to surrender his sinking ship to the British. His crew renewed their fight and took the British ship.

He served for a short time with the Russian Navy and took the Russian name, Павел Джонз, Pavel Dzhones. He took part in the he took part in the naval campaign in the Liman, an area of the Black Sea, into which flow the Southern Bug and Dnieper rivers, against the Turks. In 1790 he returned to Paris and into retirement, although he did from time to time attempt to return to Russian service.

In June 1792 he was appointed U.S. Consul to treat with the Dey of Algiers for the release of American captives. However he died on July 18 of a brain tumor. He was buried in a portion Saint Louis Cemetery, which belonged to the French royal family. After the French Revolution the exact location of his casket was lost. In 1905 it was found and his remains were returned to the US aboard the USS Brooklyn. His final resting place is in an ornate bronze and marble sarcophagus at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis.

Nickname "Father of the American Navy"

Place of birth: Kirkcudbright, Scotland
Place of death: Paris, France
Resting place: Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis
Allegiance: United States of America
Imperial Russia
Service/branch: Continental Navy
Imperial Russian Navy

Years of service: 1775–1788
Rank: Captain (U.S.)
Rear Admiral (Russia)

Battles/wars: American Revolutionary War
*USS Providence vs HMS Mellish
*Irish/North Sea Campaign
*Action of 24 April 1778
*Battle of Flamborough Head

Awards: Chevalier
Order of Military Merit
Congressional Gold Medal
Order of St. Anne
Légion d'honneur

Images from Wikipedia, Table from Wikipedia, other info from the Naval Historical Center.