John Henry Upshur

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John Henry Upshur
United States of America
Service/branch U.S. Navy
Years of service1841–1885
Rank Rear Admiral
Unit
Commands held
Battles/wars
Signature

John Henry Upshur (5 December 1823 – 30 May 1917) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War.

Early life

Upshur—born John Henry Nottingham in

Vera Cruz in March 1847. Having completed his training both at sea and in the classroom, Upshur was graduated from the United States Naval Academy on 10 August 1848 as a passed midshipman.[1][2]

In the years preceding the Civil War, Upshur carried out assignments in the Mediterranean, the

Matthew Calbraith Perry's expeditions to Japan which opened that nation to the west. He was promoted to lieutenant on 14 September 1855.[1]

Civil War

Unlike cousin

South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in charge of the steamer USS Flambeau from 1862 to 1863[1] during operations against Charleston. He returned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in time for the abortive joint expedition against Fort Fisher late in December 1864. Upshur was in the expedition which finally carried the Southern works guarding Wilmington in mid-January 1865. He commanded the squadron flagship USS Minnesota from 1863 to 1864 and the steamer USS A. D. Vance from 1864 to 1865.[1]

Post Civil War

After the Civil War, Upshur served in a succession of sea and shore billets, promoted to commander, 25 July 1866, and given the USS Frolic, on the Mediterranean station, in 1865–1867. He also commanded USS Saratoga from 1868 to 1870. Promoted to captain, 31 January 1872, Upshur commanded USS Pensacola from 1872 to 1873 and USS Brooklyn, on the South Atlantic station, from 1875 to 1876.[1] He served as a member of the board of inspectors in 1877–1880. He had a leave of absence, during which he visited Europe, in 1880, and upon his return was a member of the board of examiners. Promoted to commodore in July 1880, Upshur served as commandant of the New York Navy Yard from 1882 to 1884. Promoted to rear admiral in October 1884, he ended his service as commander of the Pacific Squadron from 1884 to 1885.[1] Rear Admiral Upshur retired on 1 June 1885 and died from heart disease at his home in Washington, D.C. on 30 May 1917.[4] He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery three days later.[5]

He commissioned the building in 1884, with design by architect

Frederick C. Withers, a Queen Anne home, later known as United States Daughters of 1812, National Headquarters.[6]

Namesake

USS Upshur (DD-144) was named for him. The second USS Upshur (T-AP-198) was named for Major General William Peterkin Upshur, USMC.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Hamersly, Lewis Randolph (1902). "John Henry Upshur". The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. New York, New York: L. R. Hamersly Co. pp. 30–31. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  2. ^ Lossing, Benson John (1912). "Upshur, John Henry". Harper's Encyclopaedia of United States History from 458 A.D. to 1912. Vol. IX. Harper & Brothers Publishers. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  3. ^ Pryor, Elizabeth Brown (2008). "Robert E. Lee's 'Severest Struggle'". American Heritage.
  4. ProQuest 145576000
    . Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  5. ProQuest 145572166
    . Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  6. ^ Eve Barsoum (August 1997). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: United States Daughters of 1812, National Headquarters / Admiral John Henry Upshur House". and accompanying three photos from 1989 and 1995
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
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