George Dewey

George Dewey Biography
Military Leader (1837–1917)
U.S. naval commander George Dewey helped the U.S. acquire the Philippines by defeating the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay. He was made admiral of the U.S. navy.

Synopsis
George Dewey was born on December 26, 1837, in Montpelier, Vermont. He studied at the U.S. Naval Academy and served with Union naval forces during the U.S. Civil War. In 1897, he was assigned to the U.S. Asiatic squadron. On April 30, 1898, he entered the Philippines’ Manila Bay with his squadron and opened fire on the Spanish fleet. The U.S. acquired the Philippines and Dewey was made admiral of the navy.