 In February 1804, Sgt.Wren volunteered for the expedition mounted to destroy the frigate "Philadelphia", captured by the Tripolitan pirates on October 31, 1803 after grounding on an uncharted reef off Tripoli.Under the command of Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr., Wren and 68 other sailors and marines entered Tripoli harbor on the night of February 16, in the ketch "Intrepid" and succeeded in setting fire to the former American ship.