Naval Leaders & Pioneers
Here you will find information about naval leaders and pioneers from throughout military history. Read more about famous commanders such as Horatio Nelson and innovators like Andrew Higgins.
Anglo-Spanish War: Sir Francis Drake
One of England's greatest heroes, Sir Francis Drake ably served Queen Elizabeth I as a privateer and naval officer. In 1577-1580, Drake became only the second man to circumnavigate the globe, sacking Spanish towns and capturing ships along the way. Eight years after his return, Drake aided in leading the English to victory over the Spanish Armada.
One of England's greatest heroes, Sir Francis Drake ably served Queen Elizabeth I as a privateer and naval officer. In 1577-1580, Drake became only the second man to circumnavigate the globe, sacking Spanish towns and capturing ships along the way. Eight years after his return, Drake aided in leading the English to victory over the Spanish Armada.
Privateers & Pirates: Admiral Sir Henry Morgan
Sir Admiral Henry Morgan was an English privateer during the 1600s who led buccaneers in the Caribbean Sea. During his career he sacked several Spanish cities and is best known for his capture of Panama in 1671. Henry Morgan was knighted three years later and became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica in 1675.
Sir Admiral Henry Morgan was an English privateer during the 1600s who led buccaneers in the Caribbean Sea. During his career he sacked several Spanish cities and is best known for his capture of Panama in 1671. Henry Morgan was knighted three years later and became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica in 1675.
Anglo-Dutch Wars: Admiral Michiel de Ruyter
Born in 1607, Michiel de Ruyter rose to become one of the Netherlands' greatest admirals. Active during the Anglo-Dutch Wars, de Ruyter is best remembered for his daring raid on the Medway in 1667. Commanding the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Agosta in 1676, de Ruyter was mortally wounded and died a week later.
Born in 1607, Michiel de Ruyter rose to become one of the Netherlands' greatest admirals. Active during the Anglo-Dutch Wars, de Ruyter is best remembered for his daring raid on the Medway in 1667. Commanding the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Agosta in 1676, de Ruyter was mortally wounded and died a week later.
Privateers & Pirates: Bartholomew Roberts
Born in Wales, Bartholomew Roberts became one of the most successful pirates of all time. Sailing the coasts of Africa, Brazil, North American, as well as in the Caribbean he captured over 470 ships in his brief two and half year career. Bartholomew Roberts was killed February 10, 1722, during a battle with HMS Swallow.
Born in Wales, Bartholomew Roberts became one of the most successful pirates of all time. Sailing the coasts of Africa, Brazil, North American, as well as in the Caribbean he captured over 470 ships in his brief two and half year career. Bartholomew Roberts was killed February 10, 1722, during a battle with HMS Swallow.
War of Austrian Succession: Admiral George Anson
Admiral George Anson was a key figure in the mid-18th century Royal Navy. An able commander, Anson famously circumnavigated the globe in 1740-1744, and captured the treasure galleon Nuestra Senora de Covadonga. Anson later served as First Lord of the Admiralty.
Admiral George Anson was a key figure in the mid-18th century Royal Navy. An able commander, Anson famously circumnavigated the globe in 1740-1744, and captured the treasure galleon Nuestra Senora de Covadonga. Anson later served as First Lord of the Admiralty.
American Revolution: John Paul Jones
Born in Scotland, John Paul Jones served as a merchant captain before coming to America in 1773. Joining the new Continental Navy, Jones distinguished himself in a number of commands including as captain of USS Ranger. Given command of Bonhomme Richard in 1779, Jones captured the British frigate HMS Serapis. Known for his fighting spirit, he is considered one of the fathers of the US Navy.
Born in Scotland, John Paul Jones served as a merchant captain before coming to America in 1773. Joining the new Continental Navy, Jones distinguished himself in a number of commands including as captain of USS Ranger. Given command of Bonhomme Richard in 1779, Jones captured the British frigate HMS Serapis. Known for his fighting spirit, he is considered one of the fathers of the US Navy.
Napoleonic Wars: Vice Admiral William Bligh
Vice Admiral William Bligh is best known for his role in the famed story of the mutiny on HMS Bounty. A skilled seaman, Bligh rose through the ranks of the Royal Navy and acted as sailing master for Captain James Cook on during the explorer's final voyage. Returning home, William Bligh served with distinction during the Napoleonic Wars and saw action at Copenhagen and Camperdown.
Vice Admiral William Bligh is best known for his role in the famed story of the mutiny on HMS Bounty. A skilled seaman, Bligh rose through the ranks of the Royal Navy and acted as sailing master for Captain James Cook on during the explorer's final voyage. Returning home, William Bligh served with distinction during the Napoleonic Wars and saw action at Copenhagen and Camperdown.
Napoleonic Wars: Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson
Born in 1758, Horatio Nelson rose to become one the world's greatest naval leaders. Horatio Nelson's victories at the Battle of the Nile, the Battle of Copenhagen, and the Battle of Trafalgar played a key role in defeat Revolutionary France and Napoleon.
Born in 1758, Horatio Nelson rose to become one the world's greatest naval leaders. Horatio Nelson's victories at the Battle of the Nile, the Battle of Copenhagen, and the Battle of Trafalgar played a key role in defeat Revolutionary France and Napoleon.
War of 1812: Commodore Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur rose to prominence during the Barbary Wars when he led a daring raid to destroy the captured frigate USS Philadelphia. During the War of 1812, he gained further fame when he captured the British frigate HMS Macedonian. A national hero, Stephen Decatur was killed in duel by Commodore James Barron in 1820.
Stephen Decatur rose to prominence during the Barbary Wars when he led a daring raid to destroy the captured frigate USS Philadelphia. During the War of 1812, he gained further fame when he captured the British frigate HMS Macedonian. A national hero, Stephen Decatur was killed in duel by Commodore James Barron in 1820.
Opening of Japan: Commodore Matthew C. Perry
Commodore Matthew C. Perry was a key figure in the US Navy during the first half of the 19th century. A veteran of the War of 1812, Perry aided in the development of the steam navy, the creation of the US Naval Academy, and led naval forces during the Mexican-American War. Perry gained lasting fame in the 1850s when he opened Japan to American trade.
Commodore Matthew C. Perry was a key figure in the US Navy during the first half of the 19th century. A veteran of the War of 1812, Perry aided in the development of the steam navy, the creation of the US Naval Academy, and led naval forces during the Mexican-American War. Perry gained lasting fame in the 1850s when he opened Japan to American trade.
Civil War: Admiral David G. Farragut, Hero of the Union Navy
The adopted son of Commodore David Porter, Admiral David G. Farragut rose through the ranks to command the Union Navy during the Civil War. Winning victories at New Orleans, on the Mississippi, and at Mobile Bay, David G. Farragut became the first US naval officer to attain the ranks of rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral.
The adopted son of Commodore David Porter, Admiral David G. Farragut rose through the ranks to command the Union Navy during the Civil War. Winning victories at New Orleans, on the Mississippi, and at Mobile Bay, David G. Farragut became the first US naval officer to attain the ranks of rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral.
Spanish-American War: Commodore George Dewey
Commodore George Dewey led the US Asiatic Squadron during the Spanish-American War. Departing from Hong Kong, Commodore Dewey won a decisive victory at the Battle of Manila Bay in May 1898. After the war, Dewey was made Admiral of the Navy and contemplated running for president.
Commodore George Dewey led the US Asiatic Squadron during the Spanish-American War. Departing from Hong Kong, Commodore Dewey won a decisive victory at the Battle of Manila Bay in May 1898. After the war, Dewey was made Admiral of the Navy and contemplated running for president.
Russo-Japanese War: Admiral Togo Heihachiro
Admiral Togo Heihachiro was a famed Japanese naval leader during the Russo-Japanese War. Leading the Japanese fleet at the Battle of Tsushima, Admiral Togo crushed the Russian Baltic Fleet. In the wake of the victory, Admiral Togo became Chief of the Naval General Staff and was awarded the rank of fleet admiral.
Admiral Togo Heihachiro was a famed Japanese naval leader during the Russo-Japanese War. Leading the Japanese fleet at the Battle of Tsushima, Admiral Togo crushed the Russian Baltic Fleet. In the wake of the victory, Admiral Togo became Chief of the Naval General Staff and was awarded the rank of fleet admiral.
World War I: Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty
Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty led the British Grand Fleet during the second half of World War I. A rising star in the Royal Navy, he was youngest admiral since Horatio Nelson. A key player in World War I, he commanded British forces at the Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank, as well as led the battlecruisers at Jutland.
Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty led the British Grand Fleet during the second half of World War I. A rising star in the Royal Navy, he was youngest admiral since Horatio Nelson. A key player in World War I, he commanded British forces at the Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank, as well as led the battlecruisers at Jutland.
Top Five Admirals of World War II
World War II saw rapid changes in how wars were fought at sea. As a result, a new generation admirals emerged to lead the combatants' fleets to victory. Here we profile five of the top naval leaders of the war.
World War II saw rapid changes in how wars were fought at sea. As a result, a new generation admirals emerged to lead the combatants' fleets to victory. Here we profile five of the top naval leaders of the war.
Readers Respond - Top 5 World War II Admirals
World War II saw the rise of great admirals in each of the combatant nations. Here we profile five of the best admirals to command fleets during the conflict.
World War II saw the rise of great admirals in each of the combatant nations. Here we profile five of the best admirals to command fleets during the conflict.
World War II: Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz
Karl Doenitz was a key German naval commander during World War II. Initially commanding the German U-boat fleet, Doenitz was given command of the entire Kriegsmarine in 1943. Following the death of Hitler in 1945, he was appointed to lead the German government with his headquarters at Flensburg.
Karl Doenitz was a key German naval commander during World War II. Initially commanding the German U-boat fleet, Doenitz was given command of the entire Kriegsmarine in 1943. Following the death of Hitler in 1945, he was appointed to lead the German government with his headquarters at Flensburg.
World War II: Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was the genius behind Japan's early naval successes during World War II. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, Yamamoto was finally defeated at the Battle of Midway. On April 18, 1943, Yamamoto was killed when his plane was intercepted by American fighters near Bougainville.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was the genius behind Japan's early naval successes during World War II. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, Yamamoto was finally defeated at the Battle of Midway. On April 18, 1943, Yamamoto was killed when his plane was intercepted by American fighters near Bougainville.
World War II: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz took command of the US Pacific Fleet in December 1941. Rising from the ashes of Pearl Harbor, Nimitz led it for the duration of World War II and served as the commander-in-chief of the Pacific Ocean Areas. During this time, his forces won key victories at Coral Sea and Midway, and later began "island hopping" across the Pacific towards Japan.
Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz took command of the US Pacific Fleet in December 1941. Rising from the ashes of Pearl Harbor, Nimitz led it for the duration of World War II and served as the commander-in-chief of the Pacific Ocean Areas. During this time, his forces won key victories at Coral Sea and Midway, and later began "island hopping" across the Pacific towards Japan.
World War II: Fleet Admiral William "Bull" Halsey
Admiral William "Bull" Halsey played a key role in directing American naval forces in the Pacific during World War II. Graduating from Annapolis in 1904, Halsey moved through the ranks before transferring to aviation. Halsey is best remembered for leading Allied forces to victory in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Admiral William "Bull" Halsey played a key role in directing American naval forces in the Pacific during World War II. Graduating from Annapolis in 1904, Halsey moved through the ranks before transferring to aviation. Halsey is best remembered for leading Allied forces to victory in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Admiral Marc Mitscher, USN
A brief look at the career of Admiral Marc Mitscher, who commanded the US Navy's fast carriers in the Pacific during World War II.
A brief look at the career of Admiral Marc Mitscher, who commanded the US Navy's fast carriers in the Pacific during World War II.
German Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz
A biography of noted German Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz. The Admiral was responsible for the modernization and growth of Imperial Germany's navy in the years prior to World War I.
A biography of noted German Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz. The Admiral was responsible for the modernization and growth of Imperial Germany's navy in the years prior to World War I.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
An extensive look at the life and career of World War II Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. The Admiral's career was cut short in 1943, when his plane was intercepted by American fighters.
An extensive look at the life and career of World War II Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. The Admiral's career was cut short in 1943, when his plane was intercepted by American fighters.
Yi Sun-sin and the Turtle Boat
An overview of 16th century Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his armored "Turtle" boats.
An overview of 16th century Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his armored "Turtle" boats.