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Presley Neville O’Bannon (1776 – 12 September 1850) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps, famous for his exploits in the First Barbary War. Born in Fauquier County, Virginia, O'Bannon entered the Marine Corps 18 January 1801. As a First Lieutenant, he commanded a detachment of Marines in General William Eaton’s little force in the War with Tripoli. During the combined operations with the U.S. Navy, he led the successful attack in the Battle of Derna 27 April 1805, giving the Marine Corps Hymn its immortal “to the shores of Tripoli”. At this battle Presley O'Bannon became the first man to raise the American flag over foreign soil. According to an unverifiable tradition, Hamet Karamanli was so impressed with O'Bannon's bravery, that following the attack, he presented Lt. O'Bannon with a Mameluke sword. Marine officers continue to carry a sword of this type. After resigning from the Marine Corps 6 March 1807, O’Bannon moved to Logan County, Kentucky, where he built a home in Russellville. He served in the Kentucky state legislature 1812, 1817, 1820-21 and in the Kentucky state senate 1824-1826. He died 12 September 1850 in Franklin County, Kentucky. His remains were moved to the Frankfort Cemetery in 1919. Three Navy ships have been named USS ''O'Bannon'' in his honor.
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