"OUR COUNTRY, right or wrong!" -- these word of Stephen Decatur's spoken at the height of his career exemplify the wholehearted devotion to his country of one of our great naval heroes.

Young Stephen was a weak and sickly boy and his family despaired of his ever being really strong. Finally a doctor advised a sea voyage and nine-year-old Stevie sailed away with his captain father to the far-off town of Bordeaux. Stevie loved the sea and during the many days that he spent exploring the ship and learning all he could about sailing it, he grew strong and healthy.

When he grew up he wanted to be in the Navy like his father and finally at the outbreak of the war with France in 1798 he received a much-coveted commission as midshipman in the new United States Navy. This was only the beginning of the heroic career of this daring and competent naval officer who distinguished himself in the War of 1812 as well as in the campaign against the Barbary pirates.

In THE STORY OF STEPHEN DECATUR Iris Vinton has written another exciting Signature Book that boys and girls everywhere will read and enjoy.

From the dust jacket