[B] What role did I play in the building of our nation?

I played a great role in the building of our nation. While the American War of Independence was taking place, I was appointed to take command of the brig "Lexington" and captured the British tender, Edward. It was the first ship to ever be taken by a commissioned officer of the US Navy. In 1781, while I was in command of another ship, the "Alliance", I captured the two British ships, "Trepassy" and "Atlanta".

My great, outstanding record during the American War of Independence earned me prestige and I was officially pronounced the senior captain. Senior Captain was the highest post anyone can get in the Navy during that time period. That is how i was given the title of "commodore". A while after helping supervise the reorganization of the US Navy in 1794, I was made commander of one of the Navy's new flagships which was, the United States. I directed American naval operations in the West Indies from 1798 to 180 1.