Executive Officer of seven different ships during the Civil War as part of West Gulf Blockade Squadron in the Mississippi River and off the southeast coast of the United States. Was with Admiral Farragut’s ships during the taking of New Orleans. Achieved total victory at Manila Bay on May 1, 1898 in the Spanish-American War, initiating the war’s first action with the words, “You may fire when ready, Gridley.” He is the only person to be given the special rank of "Admiral of the Navy."