David Dixon Porter

David Dixon Porter (June 8, 1813 – February 13, 1891) is a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the United States Navy.

Promoted as the second man to the rank of admiral, after his adoptive brother David G. Farragut, Porter helps improve the Navy as the Superintendent of the US Naval Academy after significant service in the American Civil War.

He begins naval service as a midshipman at the age of 10 under his father, Commodore David Porter, on the frigate USS John Adams.

For the remainder of his life, he is associated with the sea.

Porter serves in the Mexican War in the attack on the fort at the City of Vera Cruz.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, he is part of a plan to hold Fort Pickens, near Pensacola, Florida, for the Union; its execution disruptsthe effort to relieve the garrison at Fort Sumter, leading to its fall.

Porter commands an independent flotilla of mortar boats at the capture of New Orleans.

Later, he is advanced to the rank of (acting) rear admiral in command of the Mississippi River Squadron, which cooperates with the army under Major General Ulysses S. Grant in the Vicksburg campaign.

After the fall of Vicksburg, he leads the naval forces in the difficult Red River Campaign in Louisiana.

Late in 1864, Porter is transferred from the interior to the Atlantic coast, where he leads the Navy in the joint assaults on Fort Fisher, the final significant naval action of the war.

Porter works to raise the standards of the US Navy in the position of superintendent of the Naval Academy when it is restored to Annapolis.

He initiates reforms in the curriculum to increase professionalism.

In the early days of President Grant's administration, Porter is de facto Secretary of the Navy.

When his adoptive brother David G. Farragut is advanced from rank of vice-admiral to admiral, Porter takes his previous position; likewise, when Farragut dies, Porter becomes the second man to hold the newly created rank of admiral.

He gathers a corps of like-minded officers devoted to naval reform.

Porter's administration of the Navy Department arouses powerful opposition by some in Congress, who force the Secretary of the Navy Adolph E. Borie to resign.

His replacement, George Robeson, curtails Porter's power and eases him into semiretirement.

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