Dewey, George (1837–1917)

US naval officer. He saw action on the Mississippi River and in the blockade of Southern ports during the American Civil War 1861–65. As commodore, he was dispatched to the Pacific 1896. He destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila harbour at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War 1898. Dewey was promoted to admiral of the navy (the highest naval rank ever awarded) 1899.

Dewey was born in Montpelier, Vermont, graduated from the US Naval Academy 1858 and served with the Mediterranean Squadron until the outbreak of the Civil War. He was appointed chief of the Bureau of Equipment 1889 and of the Board of Inspection and Survey 1895, and retired from active service 1900. Dewey was made president of the General Board of the Navy Department in 1910, and held the office until his death.