Description:

Dewey George 1837 - 1917 George Dewey ALS from Manila Bay, in advance of his promotion to Admiral of the Navy

Bi-fold letter, scripted on three pages, 4.5" x 7", with the letterhead of Flagship Olympia. Dated "Nov. 30/98" and signed by John Dewey as "John Dewey". Boldly scripted. Near fine with light pencil to final page.


George Dewey held an illustrious naval career. During his years of service, Dewey earned the Civil War Medal; the Spanish Campaign Medal; the Philippine Campaign Medal; and the Dewey Medal commemorating the Battle of Manila Bay. A destroyer, the USS Dewey, was named to honor the admiral. He was the only person in U.S, history to have attained the rank of Admiral of the Navy in recognition of his victory at Manila Bay in 1898. Admiral of the Navy is the highest possible military rank in the United States Navy.

"Dear Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of Oct 19th, notifying me of my election as Honorary Companion Of the (illegible) Commandry of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.

I appreciate highly the honor which the Commandry has been placed to confer upon Commandry and it will give me great pleasure to have my name home upon its rolls.

Asking you to thank the Commandry For me and hoping you will accept for yourself my best thanks for the manner in which the notification of my election was conveyed. I am

Very Sincerely

George Dewey

  1. Ellis Stevens ..."

Dewey's letter written from Manila, Nov. 30, 1898, was scripted only six months after his fleet reached Manila Bay and defeated the Spanish. By March 1899, by an act of Congress, Dewey was elevated to the rank of Admiral of the Navy. He was the only person to have ever been granted that rank.

The President may appoint, by selection and promotion, an Admiral of the Navy, who shall not be placed upon the retired list except upon his own application; and whenever such office shall be vacated by death or otherwise the office shall cease to exist. And it has been further specified that this rank is senior to the four-star rank of admiral and was equal to admiral of the fleet in the British Royal Navy. The rank lapsed with the death of Admiral Dewey on January 16, 1917. In 1944, upon the establishment of the five-star fleet admiral rank, the Navy stated that Dewey's rank was senior but did not officially state it was a six-star rank.

An ALS from the highest ranked Naval official in U.S. History with great content.

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