George Dewey - Dates of Rank

Dates of Rank

  • Midshipman - June 11, 1854
  • Passed Midshipman — January 19, 1861

In the era of the Civil War, it was a common practice for officers to be granted shipboard commissions based on the need to fill certain jobs or billets. Dewey was therefore made a Lieutenant once he "signed on" with David Farragut. He never held the rank of Ensign and skipped the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade (which in the 1860s was known as "Master").

Lieutenant Lieutenant Commander Commander Captain
O-3 O-4 O-5 O-6
April 19, 1861 March 3, 1865 April 13, 1872 September 27, 1884
Commodore Rear Admiral Admiral Admiral of Navy
O-7 O-8 O-10 Special Rank
February 28, 1896 May 10, 1898 March 2, 1899 March 24, 1903 Retroactive to March 2, 1899

Admiral Dewey's final rank was Admiral of the Navy which is considered a Six-Star Admiral. He was the only person ever to hold this rank. Admiral of the Navy is equal to General of the Armies, also considered to be a Six-Star Rank. General Pershing and General Washington held this rank, Washington long after his death.

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