The John Paul Jones Medal
April 2, 2026
John Paul was born the son of a gardener in Scotland. Leaving for sea at the age of 13 as a ship’s boy, he was a skilled sailor by the age of 20. After killing a mutinous sailor in self-defense in Tobago, he fled to America and added the name Jones. In 1775, he moved to the American colonies, and Jones offered his services to the Continental Congress. He became the first lieutenant on the first American flagship, the Alfred, and is credited with raising the first American flag over a naval vessel. Jones quickly received the first commission as captain of the Continental Navy.
From PCGS