A key member of the fledgling United States Navy, Commodore David Porter gained notoriety during the Quasi-War with France, and experienced success during the War of 1812 With Spain and her Latin American colonies at war during the late 1810s, Caribbean piracy flared up, setting sights on American shipping. The Navy ordered a fleet to the West Indies to stamp out rampant piracy and to protect the merchant shipping network in the area. Porter’s proficient leadership skills and earlier successes prompted the Navy to order him in command of its anti-piracy squadron based in Key West. Under his governance, particularly his insistence on fleet size, tactical skills and navigation know-how, the Navy triumphed, purging the region of pirates.