Spanish-American War: Commodore Dewey Born

December 26, 1837 - Future Commodore George Dewey (right) is born in Vermont. Graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1858, Dewey saw a series of regular postings until the outbreak Civil War. Serving in the Union Navy, he took part in the capture of New Orleans and Farragut's campaign on the Mississippi. Remaining in the navy after the war, Dewey steadily rose through the ranks and was promoted to commodore in 1896. Assigned to command the US Asiatic Squadron in the Far East, Dewey was in place at Hong Kong when the Spanish-American War began in April 28, 1898. Descending on the Philippines, he destroyed a Spanish fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1. A national hero, Dewey was immediately promoted to rear admiral and made Admiral of the Fleet in 1899. In honor of his service, Dewey was allowed to remain in the navy past the mandatory retirement age and was in uniform until his death in 1917.

Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval Historical Center