1813 â The U.S. Navy gained its motto as the mortally wounded commander of the U.S. frigate âChesapeakeâ, Captain James Lawrence (b.1871) was heard to say, âDonât give up the ship!â, during a losing battle with a British frigate âShannonâ; his ship was captured by the British frigate. Oliver Hazard Perry honored his dead friend Lawrence when he had the motto sewn onto the private battle flag flown during the Battle of Lake Erie, 10 September 1813.
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
ROCHESTERMILITARY.CCOM
