Person
Gideon Welles
24th United States Secretary of the Navy
Gideon Welles (July 1, 1802 – February 11, 1878) is the United States Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869.
His buildup of the Navy to successfully execute blockades of Southern ports is a key component of Northern victory of the Civil War.
Welles is also instrumental in the Navy's creation of the Medal of Honor.