Perry Group News

One of the most famous sea battles in U.S. naval history took place in September 1813, not upon the sea, but on the waters of Lake Erie, between what is now Ohio and Ontario, Canada. In the War of 1812 against Great Britain, the Battle of Lake Erie was a crucial and decisive victory for America and itsNavy, and the flotilla led by 27-year old Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. That battle was recently commemorated with events on Lake Erie. And next year—the 200th anniversary—will be even bigger.

In a symbolic transfer of command, the direct descendants of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry will present Navy Rear Admiral Greg Nosal with the "Don't Give up the Ship" flag in a Longboat Rowing ceremony hosted by the Perry Group at the Port of Cleveland on Aug. 30, 2012. The United States Navy will be commemorating the War of 1812 during Navy Week in Cleveland Aug. 27 through Sept. 4, 2012. The presentation of the flag from Perry's descendants to Rear Admiral Greg Nosal is representative of Perry himself passing on the motto "Don't Give up the Ship" to the modern Navy. The Navy has instituted this slogan for 200 years since Perry's historic triumph on the waters of Lake Erie.