Career
Born at Albany, New York, Mansfield enlisted in the Marine Corps at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 11 August 1798 and served until 1805. While serving in schooner Enterprise during the war with Tripoli, Sergeant Mansfield volunteered for the cutting‑out expedition led by Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Junior., 16 February 1804.
Lieutenant Decatur and his 84‑man crew sailed ketch Intrepid, disguised as an Arab ship, into Tripoli Harbor to destroy the recently captured United States. frigate Philadelphia and prevent her use against the United States.
United States Ship Mansfield (Doctor of Divinity-728) was named for him.
