David Farragut

David Glasgow Farragut (July 5, 1801 – August 14, 1870) was the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He was both the first vice admiral and full admiral of the Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his famous order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

Command history

• 1812, assigned to the Essex.
• 1815–17, served in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the Independence and the Macedonian.
• 1818, studied ashore for nine months at Tunis.
• 1819, served as a lieutenant on the Shark.
• 1823, placed in command of the Ferret.
• 1825, served as a lieutenant on the Brandywine.
• 1826–38, served in subordinate capacities on various vessels.
• 1838, placed in command of the sloop Erie.
• 1841, attained the rank of commander.
• Mexican War, commanded the sloop of war, Saratoga.
• 1848–50, duty at Norfolk, Navy Yard in Virginia.
• 1850–54, duty at Washington, D.C..
• 1854–58, duty establishing Mare Island Navy Yard at San Francisco Bay.
• 1858–59, commander of the sloop of war, Brooklyn.
• 1860–61, stationed at Norfolk Navy Yard.
• December 21, 1861 – August 14, 1870, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Navy.
• January 1862, commanded USS Hartford and the West Gulf blockading squadron of 17 vessels.
• April 1862, took command of New Orleans.
• July 16, 1862, promoted to rear admiral.
• June 23, 1862, wounded near Vicksburg, Mississippi.
• May 1863, commanded USS Monongahela.
• May 1863, commanded the USS Pensacola.
• July 1863, commanded USS Tennessee.
• September 5, 1864, offered command of the North Atlantic Blocking Squadron, but declined.
• December 21, 1864, promoted to vice admiral.
• April 1865, Pallbearer for the Abraham Lincoln funeral.
• July 25, 1866, promoted to admiral.
• June 1867, commanded USS Franklin.
• 1867–68, commanded European Squadron.