The 15-cent John Paul Jones commemorative stamp was first placed on sale at Annapolis, Maryland, on September 23, 1979. John Paul Jones (1747-1792) was an American Revolutionary hero who served in the Continental Navy. Born in Scotland, Jones later adopted the United States as his own country. He commanded the Bonhomme Richard and fought against the British during the Revolutionary War. It was during a battle against the British ship Serapis that he made the iconic statement, "I have not yet begun to fight!" During the American Revolution, the Dutch island of Texel was used as a port for the USS Bonhomme Richard before it sank off the coast of Flamborough Head in Britain in September 1779. In that final action, John Paul Jones defeated and captured the British ship HMS Serapis, which he sailed to Texel for desperately needed repairs. This event further complicated Anglo-Dutch relations. During his enforced stay at the island of Texel, Jones wrote a letter, dated 10/19/1779 to the important Dutch patriot, Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol. In his letter he thanked him for his support during the struggle with the British. It still can be found in the Dutch National archives in The Hague. Jones died in Paris in 1792. His remains were later returned to the United States and interned in Annapolis, Maryland. The stamp was designed by Bradbury Thompson and was issued in sheets of fifty. © United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.