Barron, James (1769-1851), a commodore in the United States Navy, became prominent during the critical period before the War of 1812. While commanding the Chesapeake in 1807, he was challenged by the captain of the British warship Leopard. The British captain demanded that he surrender several American sailors accused of deserting from the British navy. Barron refused, and the Leopard‘s guns fired on the Chesapeake‘s crew. Three of Barron’s men were killed and 18 were wounded. Barron then surrendered the suspects. He was court-martialed, suspended from rank and pay for five years, and later placed on shore duty.
Barron killed Commodore Stephen Decatur in 1820 in a duel in which he was seriously wounded (see Decatur, Stephen ). Barron was born in Virginia. He died on April 21, 1851.
