Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry was born on April 10, 1794, in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Born to a naval captain, Perry was the younger brother of Oliver Hazard Perry. Navy life was in his blood and Perry began his career at the age of 15 as a midshipman aboard the USS Revenge, under his older brother’s command. In the coming years, Perry served on several other ships, including the USS President, aboard which he was an aide to the Commodore. While on that ship, he took part in a battle against the British before the start of the War of 1812. He remained on that ship after the war started when the President fired the first shot of the war at the HMS Belvidera. Perry was later transferred to the USS United States, where he served under Stephen Decatur.