Oliver Hazard Perry gained command of the U.S. Navy's Erie base in March 1813 at the age of 27. He had only six months to complete a fleet under construction for the defense of the Great Lakes in the Battle of Lake Erie. Most of the supplies needed for construction had to be brought great distances into a near wilderness.

The Battle of Lake Erie took place on September 10, 1813 and secured American control over the lakes for the remainder of the War of 1812.

The War of 1812, a conflict between the United States and the British Empire, lasted from June 1812 to February 1815 and resulted in resolution of many territorial issues remaining from the Revolutionary War.

Roberta Jones, former Park Ranger from the Perry's Victory and International Peace Monument, details the physical struggles and administrative infighting endured by Perry to achieve his herculean tasks.