A student at Palmer Catholic Academy has embarked on an ambitious project to honor the memory of a forgotten U.S. naval hero.
Will McTammany and his grandfather, Fred Apgar of Savannah, launched their efforts almost a year ago.
While driving along an isolated rural road in South Carolina in search of a historical sites, they stopped at a small rural cemetery. They found downed tree branches, leaves and debris everywhere and a cemetery suffering from years of neglect.
One grave site caught their attention. It was a family plot, partially surrounded by a broken wrought iron fence. A small American flag had been placed next to the headstone, and a faded red plastic flower had been laid on top of the marble slab. The stone’s engraving read: John Herbert Dent, Captain US Navy, War of 1812, Feb 22, 1782 – Jul 29, 1823.
William and his grandfather, a Vietnam combat veteran, were stunned by what they learned.
Dent was a Navy officer serving on the USS Constitution — Old Ironsides — when she captured the French frigate, Insurgente, in 1799. During the First Barbary War (1801-1805), Dent served as acting commander of the Constitution, attesting to the respect afforded him by his superiors.
Subsequent to the attack on Tripoli in 1804, Dent served as the commander of the USS Nautilus (1804-1805), USS Scourge (1805), USS Hornet (1806-1809) and USS John Adams (1810-1811). During the War of 1812, Dent served as the senior officer in charge of U.S. naval operations in Charleston, S.C.
Apgar recalls standing over the grave site, his interest turning to indignation at how the Dent family plot had been permitted to deteriorate.
William thought Dent deserved better, and he and Apgar committed themselves to being “part of the solution.”
On March 19, William joined his grandfather, his Mom and Dad and three brothers, and devoted the day to removing brush, raking leaves and debris, cutting down hanging limbs and removing weeds and vines from the cemetery grounds. Dent’s family plot received special attention. Daffodil bulbs were planted and American flags were placed at the head of his grave and that of his wife, Elizabeth Anne.
The original fence that surrounds Dent’s gravesite has been damaged and one section is missing entirely. The marble ledgers that cover the graves of Dent and his wife have cracked and are in need of repair. To pay for the cost for the replacement fence and repair and restoration of the marble ledgers — estimated to be approximately $10,000 — William and his grandfather have embarked upon a fundraising effort to honor Dent’s memory and recognize his service to the nation.
According to Apgar, donation checks should be made payable to Bethel Presbyterian Church and mailed to Bethel Presbyterian Church, 403 Church St., Walterboro, SC 29488. At the bottom of the checks, donors should indicate the donation is for the Captain Dent Memorial Fund.
For further information regarding the project or how to become involved, contact Apgar at 1ltintel@gmail.com.
