Thorn (DD 988) - Naval Cruise Book

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Lieutenant Jonathan T horn, USN I1 779-18112 Jonathan Thorn was born on January 8, 1779 in Schenectady, New York. The son of an American Revolution veteran, he entered the Navy on April 28, 1800 and was assigned the position of midship- man. On January 20, 1802, Mid- Shipman Thorn was attached to the frigate John Adams, part of a squadron commissioned under Captain Richard W. Morris. The squadronis first assignment sent Midshipman Thorn to the Mediter- ranean, challenging Barbary Pirates who were demanding tributes from American ships for the right to travel the high seas. His time on John Adams was followed by service on the U.S.S. Enterprise and U.S.S. Constitution, both part of a blockade off the coast of Tripoli. While serving on Enterprise, Midshipman Thorn was hand selected by Lieutenant Stephen Decatur to take part in the capture and eventual destruction of the U.S. frigate Philadelphia, an American asset that had run aground off the coast of Tripoli and fallen into the hands of the Tripolitans. The exploits of Decatur and his crew were hailed by Lord Nelson as 'tthe most bold and daring act of the age? Midshipman Thorn was promoted to acting lieutenant on November 7, 1803, by order of Captain Edward Preble. On August 3, 1804, Lieutenant Thorn commanded a gunboat during Constitution's bombardment of the City of Tripoli. As commander of Boat No. 4, he was recognized by both Captain Decatur and Captain Preble for his great bravery and meritorious service. - On June 6, 1806, Lieutenant Thorn was apinted the first commandant of the New York Navy Yard at the age of 27, the youngest oficer ever to command a United States Navy Yard. Lieutenant Thorn was tragically killed by Indians in June of 1811 while furloughed to John Jacob Astoris Pacific Fur Company, trading furs in what is now the state of Oregon. He was 32.

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USS T HURN DD-9882 COAT OF ARM rll0v,,. 'Q 'Q 1 ll, :rpoao--... Es... 5 s f:5,x'z -.YP 1 ' X '.., I Aj- x T .STL 5 Q 'YSL ' W A Nxt' 5 1 Y V3-X ' C' ,, Ju: 'N .. I ' g 9 I' A 1' I I I 4 ' 9 Q on if I I Q, 9' If 0000110 00an 000 'opp :aaa 'A I I 'Q 'Q -0 l 5 O.- 'Il lf Q 'OQQQQI' 7 Qs D 'I -.o D 1 9 'Ii' Q 0ooarrl The official crest of USS THORN is dark blue and gold, colors traditionally associated with the U.S. Navy, symbolic of the sea and of excellence. The sword, a symbol of nautical boldess and courage, alludes to the presentation of a saber by the United States Congress to Midshipman Thorn for his exploits during the Tripolitan War. The crossed cannons represent both the battles of the Tripolitan War and those of the previous USS THORN QDD-6473 in World War II. The orle of mullets Cborder of starsj refer to the seven battle stars awarded to the previous USS THORN for her service during World War II. The porcupine represents a creature well able to defend itself against attacks by the use of its quills, thus symbolizing the capacity of USS THORN. Thus, the ship's motto as extracted from William Shakespeare,s HAMLET: SHARPLY PERSEVERANT--like the quills of the fretful porcupine. R J

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Commander James B. Campbell United States Navy Commander Campbell is a native of DeQueen, Arkansas. He attended Henderson State University and the University of Arkansas prior to his appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1970. He graduated from Annapolis in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and has completed studies toward a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering at Auburn University, with additional post graduate stud- ies at Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. After commissioning, Commandef Campbell reported to Nuclear Power School, Mare Island, California followed by assignment to the Nuclear Power Training Unit AIW, Idaho Falls, Idaho. His first sea assignment was as Navigator, USS SOUTH CAROLINA CCGN 375 in May, 1976. His next assignment was Reactor Mechanical Assistant aboard USS NIMITZ QCVN 685 completing qualifications as a Naval Nuclear Engineer in 1980. His first assignment to shore duty was in 1984, reporting aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT CCVN 715 as the Reactor!Propulsion Plant Test Coordinator and Reactor Controls Assistant. Following this tour, he served as Executive Officer aboard USS DEWEY CDDG 455. He received orders to OPNAV in March 1989 as section head of Gun Weapon Systems COPNAV 355 in the Strike Warfare Division. Commander Campbells personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Navy Commendation Medal with gold star, the Navy Achievement Medal with gold star and various unit and service awards. Commander Campbell is married to the former S. Kay' Cullins of Malvern, Arkansas. They have three sons: Robert, Jonathan, and William. .I