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.
Read more about this topic: George Dewey
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