Happy Birthday, Stephen Decatur!

The birthday for Stephen Decatur Jr., after whom the city of Decatur was named, will be Saturday.

Decatur was born Jan. 5, 1779, in Maryland. The City of Decatur's website says,

He led some daring raids in the wars against the Barbary pirates along the coast of Africa, and returned home a hero in 1805. He remained in the Navy and commanded several ships during the troubles with Great Britain that led to the War of 1812. While commanding the USS United States, he defeated one of Great Britain's finest ships, the Macedonian.

Following the War of 1812 Stephen Decatur returned to the Mediterranean as commander of a squadron that defeated the Barbary pirates a second time. He returned to the United States again in triumph. Shortly thereafter in a speech in Norfolk, Virginia, he spoke his famous line: "Our Country. In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be right; but our country right or wrong."

He was killed in a duel on March 22, 1820.

The City of Decatur, Ga., was incorporated December 10, 1823 and named after Decatur. Towns in 10 other states are named after him, along with counties in five states, including Georgia.

A bust of Stephen Decatur overlooks the town's Marta Plaza. On the back is inscribed his most famous quote: "Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but right or wrong, our country!"

Should Decatur do anything else to remember this man?