Dewey, George. Admiral in United States Navy. Dewey was born in Montpelier, Vermont, December 26, 1837. Appointed to Naval Academy September 23, 1854. Graduated in 1858 as passed midshipman; LL. D. University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, 1898. Attached to steam frigate "Wabash," Mediterranean squadron until 1861, then to steam sloop "Mississippi" of West Gulf squadron. Commissioned lieutenant April 19, 1861. In Farragut's squadron, which forced the passage of Fort St. Philip and Fort Jackson, April 1862. Participated in the attack on Fort St. Philip and the subsequent fights with gunboats and ironclads, which gave Farragut possession of New Orleans. In the smoke of the Battle of Port Hudson, the "Mississippi" lost her bearings, and ran ashore under the guns of the land batteries; the officers and men took to the boats after setting the vessel on fire. Dewey was afterward on several vessels in North Atlantic blockading squadron, then in European squadron, and later on various duties and at different stations, being promoted to commander, April 1872. Captain, September 1884; commodore, February 9, 1896. In January 1898, Dewey assumed command of Asiatic squadron. On May 1, 1898, in Manila Bay, he commanded in the greatest naval battle since Trafalgar, completely annihilating the Spanish Asiatic squadron under Admiral Montojo, destroying eleven and capturing all other vessels and all the land batteries, without the loss of a man on the American side. Immediately upon receipt of official news of victory Dewey was promoted to rear admiral, and thanked by resolution of Congress. Member of U.S. Philippine Commission, 1899. Promoted to admiral March 2, 1899. Died 1917.

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