Admiral George Dewey was born in Montpelier, Vermont on December 26, 1837. He was the only American ever to become Admiral of the Navy. He received his military training at Norwich Military Academy and United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Dewey was the commander of the Asiatic Squadron based in Hong Kong. On April 25, 1898, shortly after war broke out between Spain and the United States, he received orders to capture or destroy the Spanish fleet harbored in Manila Bay, the Philippines. Five days later Dewey's six ships, led by his flagship the U.S.S Olympia, arrived at Manila Bay. The day after they approached Manila Bay, Dewey gave the captain of the Olympia the famous command, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley." They attacked the Spanish fleet of 10 gunboats and cruisers. By afternoon Dewey's force had destroyed the Spanish fleet. Not one American life was taken in the battle. Dewey went back to New York City in 1899. When he returned people were so thrilled by his exploits that they donated funds to buy Dewey a house in Washington, DC. The Congress presented Dewey with a sword and gave medals to each of his men. Dewey's earlier adventures in the Civil War make for interesting research. As a Civil War lieutenant he became the executive officer of the U.S.S Mississippi in David Farraguts's fleet. Dewey served on Farragut's flag ship and was in the famous river run past the forts that guarded New Orleans. Dewey eventually became president of the General Board of the Navy Department. In 1901 Dewey became president of the Schley court of inquiry. He was an honored advisor on naval matters until his death in 1917. Since 1925 his body has been interred in the Washington Cathedral. His flagship the Olympia was honored by bringing back the body of World War I's Unknown Soldier. The Olympia now has a permanent berth at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia.

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