Admiral David G. Farragut: 1810-1870

America's first Rear Admiral, first Vice Admiral and first Admiral, and born of Hispanic heritage. Wounded in the War of 1812 at age 13, lead a landing party against pirates in Cuba in 1823, and commanded the West Gulf Blockade Squadron through most of the Civil War. The city of New Orleans surrendered to him, closing the southern half of the Mississippi. He was the hero of the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he is credited with making the famous statement when encountering mines (then called torpedoes), "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”