Marshall in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Presley Neville O'Bannon (ca. 1776-1850)
Photographed by Clay Thomas Fimiani, August 27, 2026
1. Presley Neville O’Bannon Marker
Near here stood the home of William and Ann (Neville) O'Bannon, where their son, Presley N. O'Bannon, was born. A first lieutenant in the Marines, O'Bannon served in North Africa during the First Barbary War. At the Battle of Derna, Tripoli (present-day Libya) on 27 Apr. 1805, he led a charge that resulted in the capture of a key battery. He and Navy Midshipman George Mann are credited as the first Americans to raise the U.S. flag over a fortress outside of North America. The victory helped end the four-year war and inspired the phrase "to the shores of Tripoli" in the Marines' Hymn. O'Bannon later served in the U.S. Army, settled in Kentucky, and was elected to its legislature.
Erected 2022 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number FF-6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Patriots & Patriotism • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 27, 1805.
Location. 38° 51.73′ N, 77° 52.215′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Virginia, in Fauquier
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Campaign of Second Manassas (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lee’s Narrow Escape (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mosby’s Rangers Disband Site (approx. 0.7 miles away); Salem (approx. 0.9 miles away); Mosby’s Rangers Disband (approx. 0.9 miles away); McClellan Relieved From Command (approx. 0.9 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Number 18 School (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marshall.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Birthplace of Lt. Presley Neville O’Bannon, USMC (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2026, by Clay Thomas Fimiani of Marshall, Virginia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on August 27, 2026, by Clay Thomas Fimiani of Marshall, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
