RDML James Lardner (twin)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_L._Lardner

James Lawrence Lardner (November 20, 1802 – April 12, 1881) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

He was born on 20 November 1802 in Philadelphia. His twin brother was Lawrence Saltar Lardner. He was warranted a Midshipman on 10 May 1820. Lardner served in the Pacific squadron under Commodore Stewart from 1821 to 1824. He joined the Mediterranean squadron in 1825 after escorting General Lafayette back to France in BRANDYWINE back to France. He was commissioned a Lieutenant on 17 May 1828 and served as navigating officer of the VINCENNES on a trip around the world, from 1828 to 1830. He commanded the receiving ship at the Philadelphia Navy Yard from 1845 to 1848, then commanded the brig PORPOISE off the coast of Africa from 1850 1853, and was promoted to Commander on 17 May 17 1851. He then served as Fleet Captain of the West India squadron from 1855 to 1861.

In September 1861 Lardner, while in command of the frigate SUSQUEHANNA on the North Atlantic blockading squadron, took a pertinent part in the Battle of Port Royal and the capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard. He was commended for gallantry in action by Rear Admiral DuPont and his name was sent to Congress for a vote of thanks by President Lincoln. The Senate, however, failed to confirm the action. In May 1862, he assumed command of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron and was promoted to Commodore on 16 July 1862. From May 1863 to October 1864, Lardner commanded the West India Squadron under the flag of a Rear Admiral. After his retirement on 20 November 1864 he was appointed Rear Admiral on 25 July 1866. He served on special duty with various boards until 1869 when he was appointed Governor of the Naval Asylum, Philadelphia. He held this post until 1871. He married Maragret Wilmer. Their children were James [I suspect he died young], Anne, Lynford, Margaret and Ellen. Upon her death he married Ellen Wilmer, presumably her sister. Their children were Ringgold and James Lawerence. Rear Admiral Lardner died 12 April 1881 in Philadelphia. Two U.S. Navy Destroyers have been named for him.

US Navy Rear Admiral. Lardner was appointed a midshipman on May 10, 1820 and was assigned to the Pacific Squadron. He was promoted to Lieutenant in May of 1828 and for the next twenty five years served in various overseas and land based assignments. He was promoted to Commander in 1851 and just before the start of the Civil War he was assigned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard and promoted to Captain. In May 1862 he was given the command of East Gulf Blockading Squadron assuming command the following month and was promoted to commodore effective July 16, 1862. He was then promoted to Rear Admiral shortly afterward with seniority back-dated to July 16, 1862. Six months later he relinquished his command because for health reasons, and returned to his previous rank of Commodore. In the early summer of 1863 he was again promoted to Rear Admiral and placed in charge of the West India Squadron. He remained in the West India Squadron command until late 1864 when the unit was disbanded. He was reassigned to the Philadelphia Navy War until the war ended, and later served on various boards in 1865 and 1866. Shortly afterward he was promoted to Rear Admiral for the third time effective July 25, 1866 and his last naval assignment was a three year term as governor of the Philadelphia Naval Asylum in 1869. Lardner was noted for his bravery in the Civil War and was honored by Congress and thanked by President Lincoln. He devoted forty one years of his life in service to his country. To honor his memory the Navy commissioned two destroyers in his memory.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 8 2019, 23:05:26 UTC