John M. Elliott is Lead Presenter in Philadelphia Ceremony Dedicating State Historical Marker Honoring Commodore John Barry, “The Father of the American Navy”

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Elliott Greenleaf’s Chairman and CEO John M. Elliott was a featured presenter at the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission’s dedication of the Marker permanently honoring Commodore John Barry, “the Father of the American Navy.” Located at historic Penn’s Landing, adjacent to the Delaware River where Commodore Barry’s fledgling Navy protected America from the British during the Revolutionary War, this Marker is readily accessible by and visible to the public. Mr. Elliott presented a historical perspective on the scope and a variety of Commodore Barry’s heroic public service, as the United States’ Navy’s first commissioned Officer, and the first Secretary of the Navy. Born in County Wexford, Ireland, John Barry won significant naval victories during the American Revolution, and strongly supported the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. A confidant of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and other Founding Fathers, Commodore Barry served in the Navy until his death in Philadelphia on September 12, 1803.

Mr. Elliott thanked historian Celeste Morrello, the Navy League’s Frances O’ Brien, United States Senators Robert P. Casey, Jr. and Patrick J. Toomey, City Councilman Mark F. Squilla, Commissioner Richard M. Sand of the State Historical Commission, and the various Commodore John Barry clubs and Irish-American organizations, including those from Brooklyn, Delaware County, and Philadelphia, who along with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and historian Tim McGrath, have championed, both in Philadelphia and at the United States Naval Academy, the official recognition of Commodore John Barry’s diverse and distinguished career.