"... to the shores of Tripoli."

Via Email | Lt Colonel Ray Madonna USMC (Ret.)

[Neil E. Wright]

From Lt Colonel Ray Madonna USMC (Ret.)

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Lt. Presely Obannon

While driving through Frankfort, Kentucky... historical marker that said Daniel Boone's grave is there in the local cemetary so I stopped to see it. There were also  union and confederate grave sites. While looking through the area I spotted a sign with the Marine Corps emblem and walked over to see who was buried there and saw the grave site of Lt. Presley Obannon and have enclosed two photos I took that day. I am passing them on to you so all the Marines that receive your letter will know where it is at and if they should be traveling through Frankfort to stop and see for themselves.

Biography

Born in Fauquier County, Virginia, O'Bannon entered the Marine Corps January 18, 1801. As a first lieutenant assigned to the USS Argus (1803), he commanded a detachment of seven Marines in General William Eaton’s little force in the War with Tripoli. During the combined operations with the U.S. Navy, he led the successful attack in the Battle of Derna April 27, 1805, giving the Marines' Hymn its immortal “to the shores of Tripoli”.
According to tradition, Hamet Karamanli was so impressed with O'Bannon's bravery that, following the attack, he presented Lt. O'Bannon with his personal Mameluke sword as a gesture of gratitude. Upon his return to the States, the state of Virginia presented him with a silver-hilted sword featuring an eaglehead hilt and a curved blade modeled after the original Mameluke given him by Hamet.
Its blade is inscribed with his name and a commemoration of the battle of Tripoli.[1] After resigning from the Marine Corps as a Major on March 6, 1807, O’Bannon moved to Logan County, Kentucky, where he built a home in Russellville.
He served in the Kentucky State Legislature in 1812, 1817 and 1820–21, as well as in the Kentucky State Senate from 1824 to 1826. He died on September 12, 1850 at the age of 74 in Franklin County, Kentucky. In 1991 his remains were moved to the Frankfort Cemetery.

[ASOC]

For those who may have slept thru history class - or who are not former Marines - check the short version.

Crossing 500 miles of desert, leading a merc army of Arabs to attack a defended city - man this IS the stuff of Legend.

[Mr. Jazzy]

God bless and rest this hero of freedom and the United States Marine Corps!

Semper Fidelis!

[trooprally]

Thanks for the ping. Great piece of history.

Not sure your list included Freema and USMCPop so I pinged them.

Semper Fi from a proud Marine’s father

[Mr] T

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks for the post and thanks for the ping. Great story. I actually enjoyed reading this one.

[freema]

Thanks, guys! Fascinating to think he’s in the heartland.

[freema]

Thanks, guys! Fascinating to think he’s in the heartland.