Dewey

George, an American naval commander. He was born at Montpelier, Vermont, December 26, 1837. He took the regular course of training at the Anapolis Naval Academy, graduating with the class of 1858. His first actual experience in naval warfare occurred while serving as a lieutenant in the fleet under Admiral Farragut. He took part in the opening of the lower Mississippi and in other naval operations of the Civil War. In 1870 he received his first command in the warship Narragansett. In 1882 he joined the Asiatic squadron in command of the Juanita. Two years later he was made captain of the Dolphin. He was attached to various boards and bureaus of the navy department. In 1898, just before the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, he was placed in command of the United States squadron in Asiatic waters. April 27, 1898, he set sail from China under orders "to capture or destroy the Spanish squadron," then thought to be in Philippine waters. He entered the channel of Manila Saturday evening, April 30th, and early the next morning he captured or burned the entire Spanish fleet, silenced the land batteries, and took possession of the bay. Nine Americans were wounded; none were killed. On the 18th of August following the city of Manila was taken. In recognition of his decisive victory in Manila Bay Congress promoted Commodore Dewey to the rank of rear-admiral. By act of March 2, 1899, the rank of admiral of the navy was restored for the express purpose of conferring honor on him. He is the third admiral of the American navy. His predecessors were Admirals Farragut and Porter. See Navy