George Dewey

Lore & Background

George Dewey was born in Montpelier, Vermont, opposite the Vermont State House. At age 15, his father enrolled him at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, but two years later Norwich expelled him for drunkenness and herding sheep into the barracks. He then entered the United States Naval Academy in 1854, graduating in 1858. During the Civil War, he served as executive lieutenant of USS Mississippi, participating in the capture of New Orleans and the Siege of Port Hudson. By the war's end, he had reached the rank of lieutenant commander.

After the Civil War, Dewey served on multiple ships, including USS Constitution, and as an instructor at the Naval Academy. He also served on the United States Lighthouse Board and the Board of Inspection and Survey. Promoted to commodore in 1896, he was assigned to the Asiatic Squadron the following year. When the Spanish–American War broke out in April 1898, Dewey led an attack on Manila Bay, sinking or capturing the entire Spanish Pacific fleet while suffering only minor casualties. His fleet later assisted in the capture of Manila. He was promoted to Admiral of the Navy in 1903.

Dewey explored a run for the 1900 Democratic presidential nomination but withdrew and endorsed President William McKinley. From 1900 until his death in 1917, he served on the General Board of the United States Navy, an important policy-making body.

Reader's Guide

George Dewey's significance rests primarily on his command at the Battle of Manila Bay, where he destroyed the Spanish Pacific fleet without a single combat death, a feat that made him a national hero and propelled the United States into a new era of overseas power. His promotion to Admiral of the Navy—a rank held by no other American—underscores his unique place in U.S. naval history. Dewey's career spanned the Civil War, where he served under David Farragut and saw action at New Orleans and Port Hudson, through the post-war period as an instructor and administrator, to the Spanish–American War. His later service on the General Board of the Navy shaped policy until his death. His brief foray into presidential politics in 1900, though unsuccessful, reflected his public stature. Dewey's legacy is that of a skilled naval commander whose victory at Manila Bay marked a turning point in American military and imperial history.

Did You Know?

• George Dewey is the only person in United States history to have attained the rank of Admiral of the Navy.
• At age 15, Dewey was enrolled at Norwich University but was expelled two years later for drunkenness and herding sheep into the barracks.
• During the Civil War, Dewey was among the last to leave the wreck of USS Mississippi after it ran aground at the Siege of Port Hudson.
• Dewey explored a run for the 1900 Democratic presidential nomination but withdrew and endorsed President William McKinley.