Final answer:
Captain Oliver Hazard Perry was the leader responsible for the pivotal American victory at the Battle of Put In Bay on Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Step-by-step explanation:
The person responsible for the American naval victory at the Battle of Put In Bay, Lake Erie, was Captain Oliver Hazard Perry. His leadership and naval force triumphed over the British in this critical engagement during the War of 1812. The significance of this victory was immense, as it ultimately disrupted the British control of Lake Erie and allowed the US to regain control of the Great Lakes. This shift in control also led to the defeat of the combined British and Native American forces at the Battle of the Thames, where the influential Native American leader Tecumseh was killed. The fall of Tecumseh significantly weakened Native American resistance and changed the dynamics of the war as it moved south.