French Vice Admiral. Born in Châteauvillain, France, he entered naval service in 1779, at age seventeen. He became part of the Count de Grasse's fleet in the Caribbean, fought the British during the American Revolutionary War and served in all the major battles with the fleet. In January 1793, he received a promotion to Captain and was given command of the frigate Cybèle in the East Indies. Being promoted to Rear Admiral in 1798, he took command of a squadron fleet for a expedition to Egypt, during the Battle of the Nile. Ordered to help defend Malta, after the British had blockaded the island in 1800, he loaded his ship with wounded soldiers and his ship was badly damaged, he was forced to surrender and taken prisoner. After being transported as a prisoner to Port Mahon, Admiral Dècres was released and returned to France, in March 1801. In recognition of his battles and services, Napoleon appointed Dècres Minister of Marine. He was promoted to Vice Admiral in 1805 and received the Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honor. He became a Count of the Empire in 1808 and a Duke of the Empire, in 1813. The Bourbons made Dècres a Knight of Saint Louis in 1814. He was also named a Peer of France and after Napoleon's second abdication, Dècres retired. After an attempt to kill Dècres by his valet failed, he succumbed to his wounds a few weeks later and died at age 59 in Paris, France.
French Vice Admiral. Born in Châteauvillain, France, he entered naval service in 1779, at age seventeen. He became part of the Count de Grasse's fleet in the Caribbean, fought the British during the American Revolutionary War and served in all the major battles with the fleet. In January 1793, he received a promotion to Captain and was given command of the frigate Cybèle in the East Indies. Being promoted to Rear Admiral in 1798, he took command of a squadron fleet for a expedition to Egypt, during the Battle of the Nile. Ordered to help defend Malta, after the British had blockaded the island in 1800, he loaded his ship with wounded soldiers and his ship was badly damaged, he was forced to surrender and taken prisoner. After being transported as a prisoner to Port Mahon, Admiral Dècres was released and returned to France, in March 1801. In recognition of his battles and services, Napoleon appointed Dècres Minister of Marine. He was promoted to Vice Admiral in 1805 and received the Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honor. He became a Count of the Empire in 1808 and a Duke of the Empire, in 1813. The Bourbons made Dècres a Knight of Saint Louis in 1814. He was also named a Peer of France and after Napoleon's second abdication, Dècres retired. After an attempt to kill Dècres by his valet failed, he succumbed to his wounds a few weeks later and died at age 59 in Paris, France.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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