“I HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT”
SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2024
“I HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT”
On this day in history, September 23rd, 1779, 245 years ago today, an American hero
issued a bold statement. This statement has reverberated through and inspired the hearts of
all true Americans now for nearly two and one half centuries.
John Paul was a hero. He was born in Scotland in 1747. When he was 12 years old he
left home and went to sea as a cabin boy. He was a brave soul, and the sea offered him the
adventures that his heart desired. Then in 1773, after working hard and rising through the
ranks of a sailor for over two decades his life came to a cross roads. In 1773 he killed a man.
The dead man was a mutinous sailor, and John killed him in self-defense. Not believing that the
British would give him a fair trial John fled for his life to America. I guess he figured that
America would be a good place to hide. However fate dealt him a different hand. The
Revolutionary war broke out and John Paul Jones (He added the name Jones to help hide his
identity) joined the Continental Navy.
While serving in the Navy, Johns name got changed to legend. He attacked, defeated,
and captured British war ships with tenacity. To England he was considered a pirate and a
fiend. To the American Patriots he was considered a Godsend. Then on September 23rd, 1779,
245 years ago today, something amazing happened. Outmanned and outgunned John Paul
Jones engaged 2 British war ships in one of the bloodiest battles in naval history. After
attacking the British war ships and then taking quite a licking, John Paul Jones was asked by the
British naval commander if he was ready to surrender. Standing tall aboard his vessel, a vessel
which was on fire, riddled with holes, and sinking, John Paul Jones replied with the famous
phrase, “I have not yet begun to fight.” He and his men then rammed the British commander’s
ship, threw in an explosive, and fought boldly for 3 more hours. Needless to say the Brits ended
up surrendering to John, and he became even more revered than he was before. Shrinking
away to the Brits was not something that John Paul Jones wanted to be accused of.
John Paul Jones is an American hero. His bravery is considered legendary to this day.
His leadership and daring was vital to our success in the American Revolutionary War. After the
war John continued his adventures on the high seas of the world. Sadly, he died in Paris, France
quite suddenly at the young age of 45. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Paris while the
heat of the French Revolution waged on. Miraculously, in 1905, John Paul’s remains were
located in France. He was escorted back to America by an entourage of warships in a
procession that befitted a man who is considered by many to be Americas first true Navy war
hero. His remains are now laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; a true
place of honor for such a brave and true, honorable American.
Rend Petersen
