Marking a Quarter Millennium of Courage at Sea
Morris County joins the nation today, Oct. 13, 2025, in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy, honoring generations of sailors whose service and sacrifice have protected America from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
In the summer of 1775, as the colonies braced for war, Rhode Island’s delegates to the Continental Congress petitioned for “a fleet of sufficient force for the protection of these colonies.” Recognizing the need for a unified naval defense, on Oct. 13, 1775, Congress authorized the purchase of two armed vessels to intercept British supply ships — establishing the Continental Navy, later known as the “Old Navy.”
On Dec. 3 1775, the USS Alfred, one of the Navy’s first ships, was laid down in Philadelphia. First Lieutenant John Paul Jones raised the Grand Union flag — the first national flag flown by an American warship — signifying the formal beginning of the nation’s naval service in America’s fight for independence. Jones would later become known as the “Father of the American Navy.”
From those humble beginnings grew what is now recognized as the most powerful naval force in the world.
“Since its founding, men and women from Morris County have proudly served in the Navy, with many making the ultimate sacrifice,” said Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo. “We remain grateful for the Navy’s centuries of service and honor the many sailors from Morris County who have defended our nation at sea. Our county has, and always will, continue to stand with all veterans and their families.”
Morris County men and women have served with valor and honor across every era of naval history — from wooden warships and ironclads to submarines and naval aviation. Among them were sailors aboard the USS Juneau during World War II. In 1942, the ship was lost at the Battle of Guadalcanal, claiming the lives of five sailors from Morris County.
The wreckage of the Juneau was located in March 2018. That spring, a moment of silence was held in the crew’s honor during Morris County’s annual Memorial Day observance ceremony.
“The Navy’s birthday is special to me because of all my family and friends that served and are currently serving. The freedom we enjoy today is due to their sacrifices and contributions. My Grandfather, Robert Allen from Madison, served aboard the destroyer USS Buchanan in the Pacific during WWII as a Helmsman. The stories he shared will never be forgotten. As equally important is the work being performed today by my active-duty niece which positively affects service members, emergency responders and civilians,” said Joseph Barilla, director of the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation.
Among the county’s earliest naval stories are children as young as 10 who served in the War of 1812. Known as “powder monkeys,” they carried gunpowder to cannons during battle, often under enemy fire. One of them, Samuel Dudley “S. Dudley” Wood of Hanover and Randolph, began his service as a “boy on Gunboat 107.” He later lived in Morris County until his death in 1889 and is buried in the Orchard Street Cemetery in Dover, N.J.