<Li> Battle of Mobile Bay </Li> <Tr> <Th> Signature </Th> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <P> David Glasgow Farragut / ˈfærəɡət / (also spelled Glascoe; July 5, 1801--August 14, 1870) was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War . He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy . He is remembered for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay usually paraphrased as "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" in U.S. Navy tradition . </P> <P> Born near Knoxville, Tennessee, Farragut was fostered by naval officer David Porter after the death of his mother . Despite his young age, Farragut served in the War of 1812 under the command of his adoptive father . He received his first command in 1824 and participated in anti-piracy operations in the Caribbean Sea . He served in the Mexican - American War under the command of Matthew C. Perry, participating in the blockade of Tuxpan . After the war, he oversaw the construction of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, the first U.S. Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean . </P>

Who said damn the torpedoes full steam ahead