USS OLYMPIA
PHILADELPHIA & DELAWARE VALLEY COMMANDERY
USS PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA & DELAWARE VALLEY
The Philadelphia Commandery holds luncheons throughout the year. These luncheons introduce a guest speaker discussing areas of interest to the US Navy, Marines, and naval services. Luncheons are held at historic venues throughout downtown Philadelphia. (All events require gentlemen to wear jacket and tie).
The Philadelphia Commandery also joins other veteran and naval and military organizations locally in commemorating historical events, such as the Battle of Manila Bay aboard the USS Olympia (now home ported in Philadelphia0. The commemorations are in support of the Naval Order's mission to preserve naval and maritime history.
Built in 1799, the second USS Philadelphia was a 36-gun sailing frigate famous for its service in the Quasi-War and the First Barbary War. After running aground near Tripoli, she was captured by pirates and later dramatically burned by American commandos led by Stephen Decatur Jr. to prevent her use by the enemy. in 1804.
OFFICERS
Commander: CPO Diego Herrera. USCG (Ret.)
Vice Commander-Membership: Gregory F. Adams
Vice Commander-Communications: CAPT John J. Marks, USCG (Ret.)
Treasurer: Phelps T. Riley
OUR PAST EVENTS
23 June 2026
Tim McGrath
Give me a Fast Ship
13 January 2026
Commander John D. Hooper, USCG (Ret.)
Senior Defense Strategist, Coast Guard, J55 Staff
10 June 2025
Dr. Charles Lentz
250 Homecoming
26 April 2025
Battle of Manila Bay Remembrance
Aboard USS Olympia
11 March 2025
Nick Lanbert
The Neptune Factor: Alfred Thayer Mahan And The Concept Of Sea Power
14 January 2025
Ryan Szimanski
Director Education and Curatorial Affairs, USS New Jersey (BB-62)
12 November 2024
The Honorable John F. Lehman, PhD
State of the Navy
10 September 2024
Commander John D. Hooper, USCG (Ret)
Rising Challenge of China in the Pacific
4 June 2024
CAPT William Hamblet, USN
Editor in Chief, US Naval Institute Proceedings
27 April 2024
Battle of Manila Bay Remembrance
Aboard USS Olympia
5 March 2024
The Honorable Kenneth J. Braithwaite
State of the Navy
5 December 2023
CAPT William Hamblet, USN
Editor in Chief, US Naval Institute Proceedings
23 September 2023
VADM Fritz Roegge
President, National Defense University
29 April 2023
Battle of Midway Remembrance
Aboard USS Olympia
4 October 2022
The Honorable John F. Lehman, PhD
State of the Navy
30 April 2022
Battle of Midway Remembrance
Aboard USS Olympia
13 January 2020
CAPT Scott Anderson, USCG
Port Security in Philadelphia and the Delaware Bay
23 September 2019
Gerald J. Gallagher
Vignettes of Major-General Smedley D. Butler, USMC
22 July 2019
CAPT William H..J. Manthorpe, Jr, USN (RET)
Three Revolutionary Battles On The Delaware River
30 April 2019
Chris Gleeson
Anti-Submarine Warfare in the Cold War
22 July 2019
CAPT William H.J. Manthorpe, Jr, USN (Ret.)
Three Revolutionary Battles On The Delaware River
28 April 2019
Battle of Manila Bay Remembrance
Aboard USS Olympia
14 November 2018
John Maurer
Winston Churchill, Naval Power And The Great War: Lessons For Today
10 September 2018
Seth Cropsey
Sea Blindness, American Sea Power Predicament Today
9 July 2018
The Honorable John F. Lehman, PhD
Oceans Ventured: Winning the Cold War at Sea
28 April 2018
Battle of Midway Remembrance
Aboard USS Olympia
18 September 2017
Alvan (Cappy) Markle IV
Vietnam and Tet - Did the Media Get It Right?
19 June 2017
Richard S. Sperry
World War II in the Central Pacific: Japan’s Fateful Gamble
28 February 2017
Michael C. Quinn
Meaning of the Declaration of Independence
13 September 2016
Gregory J. W. Urwin, PhD
Victory in Defeat: War, Survival, Liberation and Understanding
21 March 2016
Tim McGrath
Sailing Against King George: Philadelphia Sailors During the Revolution
15 January 2016
The Honorable John F. Lehman, PhD
Issues of National Defense in the Presidential Election
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