“I have not yet begun to fight!” These words of the famous sea fighter, John Paul Jones, commander of the first American navy, have rung down through the years as typical of the man that spoke them. Pleasant mannered and affable in peace, he was a brave and able fighter when there was a time for it. John Paul Jones was born on July 6, 1747, in Scotland. His father was John Paul, a gardener, and the future admiral took the name Jones about 1773 out of regard for Willie Jones, a wealthy planter and political leader of North Carolina, who had befriended him in his days of poverty. John Paul went to sea at the age of twelve, and before he was nineteen became first mate of a vessel in the slave trade. But he did not like this kind of work, and after two voyages gave up his position and sailed for England. Both captain and mate of the ship on which he was a passenger died of fever on the way home, and he brought the vessel safely into port. For this he received part of the cargo and a captaincy from the owners. But after making several voyages he suddenly resigned for some unknown reason and went to America, to live in poverty until 1775. Then when the Revolution began John Paul Jones was made a first lieutenant in the navy by the Continental Congress, on December 22, 1775. He soon became a captain, and did much damage to British shipping. For his good work he was promoted to the rank of commodore and put in command of five ships. He called his flagship the Bonhomme Richard, in honor of Benjamin Franklin, whose “Poor Richard’s Almanac” was very popular at that time. On August 14, 1779, Jones sailed from France with his squadron of five, accompanied by two French privateers. All but two of his ships soon deserted him; but he kept on his course, and at seven o’clock on the evening of September 23 he sighted the British men-of-war, the Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough. One of his own ships fled immediately; but the fearless American commander attacked the huge Serapis with his little Bonhomme Richard. The Pallas, Jones’ other remaining ship, forced the Countess of Scarborough to surrender; but it seemed at first as if the Richard was doomed. The English commander asked Jones if he wanted to strike his colors; but the courageous American shouted back, “I have not yet begun to fight!” And he proved this by finally compelling the Serapis to surrender after a fierce battle of three hours and a half. It was a glorious victory against overwhelming odds. The Bonhomme Richard was almost a total wreck. However, Jones moved his men and supplies to the Serapis. Two days later his little flagship sank. On his return to France Jones was hailed as a great hero. Louis XVI gave him a gold-hilted sword and made him a chevalier of France, and in 1787 Congress awarded him a gold medal in recognition of his services.