jjares reviewed Admiral George Dewey: The Life and Legacy of the Most Decorated Naval Officer in American History on + 3270 more book reviews
George Dewey was one of the early graduates of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis; graduating in 1858. By 1861, he was a lieutenant and served Union naval forces in the battles of New Orleans, Port Hudson, and Donaldsonville, LA. He also served blockade duty in the North Atlantic during the war.
In 1897, he requested to be moved to the US Asiatic squadron because he saw war with Spain coming. He studied the Spanish-owned Philippine Islands and prepared for war. When it broke out in April 1898, he entered Manila Bay, where the Spanish fleet was anchored. He opened fire at about 6 am. Dewey's famous command was, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley." His four cruisers and two gunboats had sunk or destroyed most of the Spanish warships by the time he withdrew at 7:35 am.
Because of the difficulty getting communications, Dewey was given great latitude to work with the Filipino locals, who were trying to become independent from Spain. Dewey supplied the Filipinos with information, ammunition, and supplies. There was some controversy between the Filipino leadership and the United States, that brought about a short war. In 1946, the US granted the Philippine Islands its independence.
Dewey was able to defeat the Spanish ships with a single loss of an American seaman. His victory gave the US the Philippine Islands and increased America's stance in the western Pacific. Dewey was promoted to rear admiral in May 1898 and the next year, he became a full admiral.
In 1903, Congress honored him with the special rank of Admiral of the Navy (but took retroactive effect from 1899). This was the highest rank to be held by a US naval officer and Dewey was the only Naval officer to receive it. He also received other honors including the Battle of Manila Bay Medal and a special sword (especially crafted by Tiffany and Co.) from President McKinley in October 1899.
In Dewey's personal life, he was married in 1867; his wife died five days after the birth of their son George, in 1872. Years later, Dewey married the widow of General William Babcock Hazen, in 1899. In his last years, Dewey worked to modernize the Navy by championing new technology (including submarines and naval aviation). In 1917, Dewey died and was buried in the Bethlehem Chapel, on the crypt level at the Washington National Cathedral.
Lately, I've realized I knew little about US maritime successes and have been reading more on the subject. Here are some of the really fine titles I've discovered from Charles Rivers Editors:
* Admiral David Farragut: The Life and Legacy of the American Civil War's Most Famous Naval Officer
* David Farragut & David Dixon Porter: The Lives & Careers of the Adoptive Brothers Who Became the U.S. Navy's First Admirals
* David Dixon Porter: The Life and Legacy of the Distinguished Union Rear Admiral during the Civil War
* Stephen Decatur: The Life and Legacy of the Youngest Navy Captain in American History
* Stephen Decatur and Oliver Hazard Perry: The Lives and Careers of America's Most Famous Naval Officers during the War of 1812
* Commodore Matthew Perry: The Life and Legacy of the U.S. Navy Officer Who Opened Japan to the West
Or, you can read about most of these amazing men in the following:
* 19th Century America's Most Influential Naval Officers: The Lives, Careers, and Battles of Stephen Decatur, Oliver Hazard Perry, David Farragut, David Dixon Porter, and George Dewey
In 1897, he requested to be moved to the US Asiatic squadron because he saw war with Spain coming. He studied the Spanish-owned Philippine Islands and prepared for war. When it broke out in April 1898, he entered Manila Bay, where the Spanish fleet was anchored. He opened fire at about 6 am. Dewey's famous command was, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley." His four cruisers and two gunboats had sunk or destroyed most of the Spanish warships by the time he withdrew at 7:35 am.
Because of the difficulty getting communications, Dewey was given great latitude to work with the Filipino locals, who were trying to become independent from Spain. Dewey supplied the Filipinos with information, ammunition, and supplies. There was some controversy between the Filipino leadership and the United States, that brought about a short war. In 1946, the US granted the Philippine Islands its independence.
Dewey was able to defeat the Spanish ships with a single loss of an American seaman. His victory gave the US the Philippine Islands and increased America's stance in the western Pacific. Dewey was promoted to rear admiral in May 1898 and the next year, he became a full admiral.
In 1903, Congress honored him with the special rank of Admiral of the Navy (but took retroactive effect from 1899). This was the highest rank to be held by a US naval officer and Dewey was the only Naval officer to receive it. He also received other honors including the Battle of Manila Bay Medal and a special sword (especially crafted by Tiffany and Co.) from President McKinley in October 1899.
In Dewey's personal life, he was married in 1867; his wife died five days after the birth of their son George, in 1872. Years later, Dewey married the widow of General William Babcock Hazen, in 1899. In his last years, Dewey worked to modernize the Navy by championing new technology (including submarines and naval aviation). In 1917, Dewey died and was buried in the Bethlehem Chapel, on the crypt level at the Washington National Cathedral.
Lately, I've realized I knew little about US maritime successes and have been reading more on the subject. Here are some of the really fine titles I've discovered from Charles Rivers Editors:
* Admiral David Farragut: The Life and Legacy of the American Civil War's Most Famous Naval Officer
* David Farragut & David Dixon Porter: The Lives & Careers of the Adoptive Brothers Who Became the U.S. Navy's First Admirals
* David Dixon Porter: The Life and Legacy of the Distinguished Union Rear Admiral during the Civil War
* Stephen Decatur: The Life and Legacy of the Youngest Navy Captain in American History
* Stephen Decatur and Oliver Hazard Perry: The Lives and Careers of America's Most Famous Naval Officers during the War of 1812
* Commodore Matthew Perry: The Life and Legacy of the U.S. Navy Officer Who Opened Japan to the West
Or, you can read about most of these amazing men in the following:
* 19th Century America's Most Influential Naval Officers: The Lives, Careers, and Battles of Stephen Decatur, Oliver Hazard Perry, David Farragut, David Dixon Porter, and George Dewey
