U.S. Navy Rear Admiral. In 1860, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy, was ordered to active duty during the Civil War, in September 1863 and graduated from the academy in the class of 1864. He exhibited great gallantry at the second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865. Being wounded four times, he led a U.S. Marine landing party in a charge against Confederate defenses under heavy fire. After the war, he held numerous sea commands in the Pacific Squadron during the 1890s and was known as "Fighting Bob". In November 1895, he was commissioned Captain of the Navy’s first battleship the USS Indiana and he commanded the battleship USS Iowa, during the Spanish America War. Promoted Lower Rear Admiral in 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt selected him as Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet and he became Commander-in-Chief of the North Atlantic Fleet in 1905. Reaching the mandatory retirement age of 62, he retired from the Navy a Rear Admiral on August 18, 1908.
U.S. Navy Rear Admiral. In 1860, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy, was ordered to active duty during the Civil War, in September 1863 and graduated from the academy in the class of 1864. He exhibited great gallantry at the second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865. Being wounded four times, he led a U.S. Marine landing party in a charge against Confederate defenses under heavy fire. After the war, he held numerous sea commands in the Pacific Squadron during the 1890s and was known as "Fighting Bob". In November 1895, he was commissioned Captain of the Navy’s first battleship the USS Indiana and he commanded the battleship USS Iowa, during the Spanish America War. Promoted Lower Rear Admiral in 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt selected him as Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet and he became Commander-in-Chief of the North Atlantic Fleet in 1905. Reaching the mandatory retirement age of 62, he retired from the Navy a Rear Admiral on August 18, 1908.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
Advertisement
