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	56k	Stephen Decatur was born on 5 January 1779 in Sinepuxent, Md. He was warranted a midshipman at the age of 19 and made his first cruise in the frigate United States. In command of the schooner Enterprise at the outbreak of the Tripolitan War, he captured the bomb ketch Mastico on 23 December 1803. He used this ship, renamed Intrepid, in his daring raid to burn the captured frigate Philadelphia in the harbor of Tripoli, 16 February 1804. He also distinguished himself during the attacks on Tripoli in command of a gunboat division. Promoted to captain he was assigned command of Constitution, and later, in November 1804, Congress. He negotiated with the Bey of Tunis at the close of the Tripolitan War, and returned to the United States in September 1805 with the Tunisian envoy. During the War of 1812 he commanded United States, capturing HMS Macedonian in one of the greatest single-ship actions of naval history. He took command of President at New York and attempting to slip through the blockade fell in with a British squadron of five heavy ships. After 2 hours of furi ous combat the frigate HMS Endymion was silenced but President had suffered such extensive damage that it was impossible to execute an escape. The twice-wounded Decatur reluctantly surrendered, but was paroled, landing at New London 22 February 1815. Returning to the Mediterranean in 1815, Decatur in Guerriere, negotiated a treaty with the Dey of Algiers which ended tribute and exacted full payment for injuries to Americans, then concluded similar agreements with the Bey of Tunis and the Bashaw of Tripoli. From November 1815 until killed by Commodore James Barron in a duel 22 March 1820, Decatur served on the Board of Navy Commissioners. Photo #: KN-2779. Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN (1779-1820) oil on wood, 35" x 27", by John Wesley Jarvis (1780-1840). Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Transferred from the U.S. Naval Lyceum, 1892. Official U.S. Navy Photograph.		Tony Cowart/Robert M. Cieri
	137k	USS Decatur (DDG-73) poster courtesy of Lockheed Martin.		Bill Gonyo
	139k	Artist's rendering of the USS Decatur DDG-73.		Robert M. Cieri
	135k	Undated, on patrol off Guam.		The officers and crew of the USS Decatur (DDG-73)
	72k	Undated, at Pearl Harbor.		Bill Gonyo
	108k	The Launching Program for the USS Decatur DDG-73, held at Bath Iron Works, Bath ME on 9 November 1996.		Robert M. Cieri
	120k	A photo of the Honorable Mrs. Joan E. Shalikashvili, the Ship's Sponsor. She is the wife of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John M. Shalikashvili, USA. She is shown Christening the USS Decatur DDG-73 at Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME 9 November 1996.		Robert M. Cieri
	98k	A photo of the USS Decatur DDG-73, entering the water for the first time while being launched at Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME 9 November 1996.		Robert M. Cieri
	119k	USS Decatur DDG-73 heading down the Kennebec River as she leaves the Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME, August 1998.		Steven A. Cardali
	115k	The Commissioning Program for the USS Decatur DDG-73. held at Portland, Oregon (the city's first ever Commissioning Ceremony) on 29 August 1998. Note: the USS Decatur DDG-73 was actually Commissioned without ceremony at Bath, ME, on 19 June 1998 by Commodore Pat Garrett, COMDESRON 23.		Robert M. Cieri
	211k	Commissioning Poster for USS Decatur (DDG-73) handed out at the commissioning ceremony in Portland, Oregon on 29 August 1998.		Robert M. Cieri
	224k	Newspaper article about the USS Decatur (DDG-73) which appeared in the Oregonian on 30 August 1998, the day after her commissioning in Portland Oregon.		Robert M. Cieri
	52k	Vancouver, BC April 26 1999.		Marc Piché
	45k	Vancouver, BC April 30 1999.		Marc Piché
	65k	Vancouver, BC April 30 1999.		Marc Piché
	23k	At American Samoa in 2000.		Bill McMillian
	28k	San Diego July 27 2001.		Marc Piché
	104k	In the straits of Malacca 2001 steaming toward the Persian Gulf as part of the John C. Stennis Battle Group.		Harold Newbill
	50k	YN2(SW) Adams (Then YN3) painting the ships store mural that he designed himself. It was called "the Enduring Freedom Depot" . This mural was completed and appeared in the Navy Times during the 2001-2002 Deployment with the John C. Stennis.		Harold Newbill
	140k	USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Bataan (LHD 5) with canadian ship NCSM Iroquois (DDG 280), NCSM Charlottetown (FFH 339) and NCSM Halifax (FFH 330) in the Arabian sea during operation enduring freedom the 14 January 2002.		Marc-André Nadeau
	155k	020519-N-4998R-012. Dili, East Timor, May 19 2002, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-misile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) anchored off the coast for East Timor's Independence Day celebration. After more than four hundred years of colonial rule, twenty-five years of occupation and two years of rebuilding as a United Nations administered territory, East Timor will become the worlds newest independent democratic nation on 20 May 2002. U.S. Navy photo by JO2 Gael Rene.		Robert M. Cieri
	59k	San Diego, Ca. Aug. 22, 2003, USS Decatur (DDG 73) steams towards the Coronado Bridge as she departs the comforts of home and begins her scheduled deployment. The Aegis destroyer is part of the first Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG-1). An ESG constitutes a new naval strike force designed to equip amphibious forces with added firepower and operational capabilities. US Navy Photo		Fred Weiss
	106k	Pearl Harbor September 2003		Harold Newbill
	103k	In route to Pearl Harbor September 2003.		Harold Newbill
	90k	Port side during swim call in the Arabian Sea October 2003.		Harold Newbill
	97k	USS Decatur with Mahe in the background, Republic of the Seychelles 2003.		Harold Newbill
	140k	Underway replenishment from USNS John Erickson (T-AO-194) and USS Ogden (LPD-5) on opposite side.		Harold Newbill
	196k	Underway replenishment from USNS John Erickson (T-AO-194) and USS Ogden (LPD-5) on opposite side.		Harold Newbill
	111k	Dhow that was captured in December 2003 by the USS Decatur Boarding Team. This picture was taken by Michael Sandberg.		Harold Newbill
	137k	USS Decatur entering San Diego Bay March 2004 returning home from the third deployment ( Aug 2003 - March 2004) of her career. This deployment was as part of Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1) led by the USS Peleliu (LHA-5).		Harold Newbill
	93k	In drydock July 2004, photo by Cordelia Banks.		Harold Newbill
	58k	2004, location unknown.		Harold Newbill
	54k	2004, location unknown.		Harold Newbill
	33k	October 9 2004, location unknown.		Harold Newbill
	66k	Enroute to the Portland Rose festival operating off the Coast of Oregon June 15 2005.		Harold Newbill
	76k	Enroute to the Portland Rose festival moving up the Columbia River June 15 2005.		Harold Newbill
	83k	050726-N-8213G-031. Pacific Ocean July 26 2005, the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) prepares to go alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) to conduct a fueling at sea (FAS), as the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) navigates off her starboard side. Reagan and embarked Carrier Air Wing One Four (CVW-14) are currently underway conducting Tailored Ships Training Availability (TSTA). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Konstandinos Goumenidis).		Jack Treutle
	64k	Pacific Ocean - October 29, 2005. The Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) follows the Cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) during maneuvers of the coast of Southern California. Both ship are part of Commander, Carrier Strike Group Seven (CCSG-7); which, is currently underway with its flag ship the Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in the Pacific Ocean undergoing their Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX). Official U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Aaron Burden.		Harold Newbill
	41k	Hong Kong port visit while deployed with the Ronald Reagan Battle Group in 2006.		Harold Newbill
	125k	060703-N-7130B-228. Pacific Ocean, July 3 2006, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) stops in two ship lengths while performing a "crash-back", being demonstrated for observing crewmembers of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan Strike Group and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW 14) are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the war on terror and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/SW) Aaron Burden.		Robert M. Cieri
	70k	DN-SD-07-07694, 060706-N-1328S-012. Family and friends await to greet their loved ones aboard the USN Arleigh Burke Class (Flight 1) Guided Missile Destroyers USS DECATUR (DDG 73) during a homecoming celebration at Naval Station (NS) San Diego, California (CA). The DECATUR and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 completed a regular scheduled six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) and Maritime Security Operations (MSO). Photo by MCSN James Seward, July 6 2006.		Bill Gonyo
	77k	060315-N-0857F-002 Cmdr. John Steinberger, USS Decatur (DDG 73)’s commanding officer, oversees the refueling at sea evolution, Mar. 15, between his ship and Japanese oiler JDS Tokiwa (AOE 423). Decatur’s underway replenishment made them the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force’s (JMSDF)’s 600th customer. JMSDF routinely provides fuel to U.S. Navy and coalition ships forward deployed to the region in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Official U.S. Navy Photo by CTR3 Ryan C. Finkle.		Bill Gonyo
	61k	060315-N-0857F-007 USS Decatur (DDG 73) hoists the Japanese steaming ensign Mar. 15 at the completion of an underway replenishment with Japanese oiler JDS Tokiwa (AOE 423). This replenishment made Decatur the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force’s (JMSDF)’s 600th customer. JMSDF routinely provides fuel to U.S. Navy and coalition ships forward deployed to the region in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Official U.S. Navy Photo by CTR3 Ryan C. Finkle.		Bill Gonyo
	136k	A French Navy Panther helicopter lands on USS Decatur's (DDG 73) flight deck while underway in the North Arabian Sea. On May 5 2006, Decatur joined a coalition task force led by French nuclear-powered surface vessel FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91), which is currently providing air support to U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. Decatur is deployed to the region in support of Maritime Security Operations. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. Photo by Quartermaster 1st Class (SW) David J. Conrad.		Harold Newbill
	57k	070622-N-XXXXX-003. Pacific Ocean June 22 2007, a Standard Missile (SM-3) is launched from the Aegis combat system equipped Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) during a Missile Defense Agency ballistic missile flight test. Minutes later the SM-3 intercepted a separating ballistic missile threat target, launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. It was the first time such a test was conducted from a ballistic missile defense equipped-U.S. Navy destroyer. The previous flight tests were conducted from U.S. Navy cruisers. The maritime capability is designed to intercept short to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. USS Decatur is one of 18 U.S. Navy ships (three cruisers and 15 destroyers) that will be identically equipped, by early 2009, with the ballistic missile defense capabilities of conducting long-range surveillance/tracking and launching the SM-3 missile. U.S. Navy Photo.		-
	145k	070702-N-9909C-004. San Diego, (July 2 2007, the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) safely navigates under the Coronado Bay Bridge as she returns to Naval Station San Diego after a successful missile shot off the coast of Hawaii. June 22nd, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer launched an SM-3 that intercepted a separating ballistic missile threat target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. It was the first time such a test was conducted from a Navy destroyer equipped with ballistic missile defense capabilities. U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Jane Campbell, USN.		Robert M. Cieri
	100k	080218-N-5476H-116 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 18, 2008) Quartermaster 3rd Class Ronald Masulis, of Danville, Ill., looks through ship mounted binoculars on the signal bridge in order to read flag signals from the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) during a signal drill aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70). Lake Erie is conducting operations off the coast of Hawaii in preparation for a ship's Board of Inspection and Survey. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Hight.		Bill Gonyo
	37k	080401-N-3659B-372. Pacific Ocean, 1 April 2008, the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73), assigned to Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 7, maneuvers through the Pacific Ocean as part of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group during a composite training unit exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac.		Robert M. Cieri
	119k	080401-N-3659B-298. Pacific Ocean, 1 April 2008, the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73), assigned to Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 7, maneuvers through the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac.		Robert M. Cieri
	127k	080413-N-1635S-001. Pacific Ocean, April 13 2008, the guided-missile destroyers USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Decatur (DDG 73) steam towards the early morning sunrise during a simulated straits transit with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), while conducting a joint task force exercise in preparation for deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott.		Robert M. Cieri
	190k	080619-N-5961C-004. Hong Kong, June 19 2008, the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), left, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) are moored at the foot of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. Both ships are part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call.		Robert M. Cieri
	157k	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West visits with the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) July 3, 2009, at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. West is on a 10-day tour of Japan, his first visit since taking the position as MCPON. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jennifer A. Villalovos.		Bill Gonyo
	152k	090807-N-5549O-134. Persian Gulf, August 7 2009, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus tours the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73). Mabus is on his first Middle East tour as Secretary of the Navy visiting with foreign dignitaries, members of government and Sailors and Marines. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien.		Bill Gonyo
	25k	Ship's patch.		-
	30k	Ship's patch.		-

CDR Michael Galese Knollmann    Jun 19 1998 - Jun 3 1999
CDR Peter Aguon Gumataotao    Jun 3 1999 - Mar 16 2001
CDR Victorino Guerrero Mercado    Mar 16 2001 - Aug 12 2002
CDR Cynthia McCulley Thebaud    Aug 12 2002 - Mar 12 2004
CDR Brian Craig Nickerson    Mar 12 2004 - Aug 29 2005
CDR John Frederick Steinberger    Aug 29 2005 - Sep 5 2007
CDR Brian K. Shipman    Sep 5 2007 - May 1 2009
CDR Christopher John Sweeney    May 1 2009 - present