George Little (1754-1809)
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George Little (10 April 1754 - 22 July 1809) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Revolutionary War and the Quasi-War.
Born in Marshfield, Massachusetts, Little was appointed first lieutenant of Massachusetts ship Protector in 1779, and was aboard in 1781 when she fought a running battle with the British ship Thames. In a later engagement he was captured, imprisoned, but later escaped.
He was given command of Massachusetts ship Winthrop which captured two British privateers, armed brig Meriam, and a number of other vessels. Commissioned captain, USN, 4 March 1799, Little was given command of frigate Boston. He culminated a brilliant fighting career during the Quasi-War with France by capturing Le Berceau and seven other ships.
Little died at Weymouth, Mass., 22 July 1809.
The destroyer USS Little (DD-79) was named in his honor.
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.