Joel Abbot For the member of the United States House of Representatives , see Joel Abbot ( politician ) . Joel Abbot ( January 18 , 1793 - December 14 , 1855 ) was a U.S. naval officer who served notably in the War of 1812 , and commanded a squadron during Commodore Perry 's 1852 visit to Japan . Born in Westford , Massachusetts , Abbot entered the Navy as midshipman at the beginning of the War of 1812 , serving first on the frigate USS President and next on Lake Champlain with Commodore Macdonough , who , when he asked Abbot if he were ready to die for his country received the reply `` Certainly , sir ; that is what I came into the service for. '' Abbot was then ordered to enter the British lines as a spy and destroy a number of spars which had been stored at Sorel . [ citation needed ] For his success in this dangerous exploit , and for his bravery in the engagement at Cumberland Head on Sept. 11 , 1814 , the young officer received a sword of honor from Congress and was commissioned a lieutenant . In 1818 , he was given charge of the pirate ship Mariana . Abbot was promoted to commander in 1838 , and the following year was given command of the Boston Navy Yard . During Commodore Perry 's expedition to Japan in 1852 Abbot commanded the USS Macedonian , and later was appointed Flag Officer of the East India Squadron . He died in Hong-Kong in 1855 . Ships named USS Abbot were named in his honor. [ citation needed ] References Who Was Who in America , Historical Volume , 1607-1896 . Chicago : Marquis Who 's Who , 1967 . Categories : Articles with unsourced statements | 1793 births | 1855 deaths | People from Middlesex County , Massachusetts | United States Navy officers | War of 1812 people the member of the United States House of Representatives Joel Abbot ( politician ) 