Admiral (USN), David Dixon Porter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Dixon_Porter

David Dixon Porter (June 8, 1813 – February 13, 1891) was a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the United States Navy. Promoted as the second man to the rank of admiral, after his adoptive brother David G. Farragut, Porter helped improve the Navy as the Superintendent of the US Naval Academy after significant service in the American Civil War.

He began naval service as a midshipman at the age of 10 under his father, Commodore David Porter, on the frigate John Adams. For the remainder of his life, he was associated with the sea. Porter served in the Mexican War in the attack on the fort at Vera Cruz. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was part of a plan to hold Fort Pickens, near Pensacola, Florida, for the Union; its execution disrupted the effort to relieve the garrison at Fort Sumter, leading to its fall. Porter commanded an independent flotilla of mortar boats at the capture of New Orleans. Later, he was advanced to the rank of (acting) rear admiral in command of the Mississippi River Squadron, which cooperated with the army under Major General Ulysses S. Grant in the Vicksburg campaign. After the fall of Vicksburg, he led the naval forces in the difficult Red River Campaign in Louisiana. Late in 1864, Porter was transferred from the interior to the Atlantic coast, where he led the Navy in the joint assaults on Fort Fisher, the final significant naval action of the war.

Porter worked to raise the standards of the US Navy in the position of superintendent of the Naval Academy when it was restored to Annapolis. He initiated reforms in the curriculum to increase professionalism. In the early days of President Grant's administration, Porter was de facto Secretary of the Navy. When his adoptive brother David G. Farragut was advanced from rank of vice-admiral to admiral, Porter took his previous position; likewise, when Farragut retired, Porter became the second man to hold the newly created rank of admiral. He gathered a corps of like-minded officers devoted to naval reform.

Porter's administration of the Navy Department aroused powerful opposition by some in Congress, who forced the Secretary of the Navy Adolph E. Borie to resign. His replacement, George Robeson, curtailed Porter's power and eased him into semi-retirement.

Civil War Union Navy Admiral. He was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, the son of David Porter, who was a distinguished naval officer and hero of the War of 1812, and was also a diplomat. He first went to sea with his father at age 11, on a mission to fight pirates in the West Indies. He later served for a short time as a Junior Officer in the Mexican Navy. At the age of 13 he was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy. As a teen, he served on the warship Congress. His assignments were varied, but advancement was slow in peacetime service. He had mastered his profession and longed for action, but with none in sight he made no secret of his intent to leave the navy and seek an outlet for his talents elsewhere. The secession crisis changed his plans. On April 1, 1861, he eagerly accepted command of the Powhatan and of the naval portion of an expedition to relieve Florida's Fort Pickens. He and the Powhatan remained in the Gulf of Mexico during the first year of the war. Early in 1862 he began preliminary plans for the capture of New Orleans and assumed command of a mortar flotilla during the assault on the city. He also received the surrender of Forts Jackson and St. Philip after the fleet had run by them. In October 1862 he took command of the Mississippi Squadron and assumed responsibility for the Mississippi and other waterways north of Vicksburg. In cooperation with the Federal army he was involved in the capture of Arkansas Post in January 1863 and then Vicksburg in July. For the latter action he was promoted to Rear Admiral, and given the responsibility of the Mississippi River system north of New Orleans. After a courageous performance in the abortive Red River Campaign of spring 1864, he went east to command the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. In several assaults on Fort Fisher he commanded the largest American fleet ever before assembled. The capture of the fort and defenses of Wilmington, North Carolina, closed his combat service in the war. For this action he receivied his third Thanks of Congress. Immediately after the war he became Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. In this service and later with the Navy Department, where he served as head of the Inspection Board from 1877 to 1891, he stressed professionalism and rewarded active service. He was made an Admiral in 1870, making him the navy's senior officer. He was active with his beloved navy until his death in Washington D.C. He was the brother of Commodore William D. Porter and the cousin of General Fitz John Porter. His adopted brother was Admiral David G. Farragut. Ironically he rests not far from his namesake and grandson, Major General David Dixon Porter, who was a Medal of Honor Recipient. Although his tombstone bears the inscription "temporarily erected," that same stone has been adequate for more than 100 years.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 29 2019, 1:36:00 UTC