Dewey, George (1837-1917), an American naval officer, won fame as the hero of Manila during the Spanish-American War (1898). He was the only American ever to receive the honorary rank of Admiral of the Navy.
Dewey was in Hong Kong in command of the Asiatic Squadron when war broke out between Spain and the United States in 1898. He received orders on April 25 to go to the Philippine Islands and capture or destroy the Spanish fleet. Late on April 30, Dewey’s six ships, led by the USS Olympia, approached Manila Bay. Early the next day, Dewey gave the captain of the Olympia the famous command, “You may fire when you are ready, Gridley,” and attacked the Spanish fleet of 10 cruisers and gunboats. By noon, Dewey’s force had destroyed the Spanish fleet without the loss of a single American life. This victory made the United States an important power in the Pacific Ocean and inspired the confidence of the American people in the U.S. Navy. After his victory, Dewey remained in Manila Bay until troops arrived to capture Manila. When Dewey returned to New York City in 1899, he received a hero’s welcome. People donated funds to buy a home for him in Washington, D.C. The Congress presented Dewey with a sword, and all his men were awarded medals.
Dewey was born in Montpelier, Vermont, on Dec. 26, 1837. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1858. As a lieutenant, he became the executive officer of the USS Mississippi in David Farragut’s fleet in 1861, at the start of the American Civil War. He took part in the famous run past the forts that guarded New Orleans. Later, Dewey served on Farragut’s flagship (see Farragut, David G.).
Dewey became president of the newly created General Board of the Navy Department in 1900, and the next year he served as president of the Schley court of inquiry (see Sampson, William T.). He served as an honored adviser on all naval matters until his death on Jan. 16, 1917. In 1925, Dewey’s body was placed in the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
See also Spanish-American War.
