David Farragut
A naval commander whose defiant cry in the heat of battle became an enduring American expression of fearless determination.
1801–1870 (age 69)·United States Navy admiral·Birthday: July 5
Biography
Born in Tennessee, David Farragut was a child of the sea, appointed a midshipman at the tender age of nine. His naval career spanned six decades, from the War of 1812 through the Civil War, where his loyalty to the Union trumped his Southern roots. Farragut’s legacy was forged in the smoke and thunder of naval blockades. His capture of New Orleans in 1862 was a strategic masterstroke that choked the Confederacy. But it was at the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864 that he entered legend. With his fleet hesitating under minefire, he shouted the order that would define him, urging his ships forward to a decisive victory. He ended his career as the U.S. Navy’s first full admiral, a title created for him.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1801
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1801Born
1806Started school
1814Became a teenager
1817Could drive
1819Could vote
1822Turned 21
1831Turned 30
1841Turned 40
1851Turned 50
1861Turned 60
President: Abraham Lincoln
1870Died at 69
President: Ulysses S. Grant
Key Achievements
- Commanded the Union naval forces that captured the critical port city of New Orleans in 1862.
- Secured a major victory at the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864, famously ordering his fleet to press the attack despite torpedo threats.
- Became the first person in U.S. history to hold the ranks of rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy.
Did You Know?
He served in the U.S. Navy for nearly 60 years, beginning his service as a midshipman at age nine.
His adoptive father was naval officer David Porter, who facilitated his early entry into service.
Despite being born in the South, he remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War.
“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”
