John Paul Jones

When we think of bravery at sea, we can't help thinking of John Paul Jones. Numerous times, the enemy outgunned him, but he outthought them and outmaneuvered them. Born in Scotland to servants, going to sea as a young boy was an opportunity to change his place in life—something rarely accomplished in the mid-1700s. From the son of a gardener, he rose to the rank of commodore of the newly established Continental Navy of the United States of America. When he wasn't capturing enemy ships, he was charming the ladies of American and French society. So great was his reputation that Catherine the Great in far-off Russia sent for him to run her navy. Jones's victories made him one of the greatest American heroes.