24 September—No, these aren’t portraits of a volunteer fire department chief. They’re actually of David Farragut, the Civil War naval hero of “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” fame in the Battle of Mobile Bay. In the top portrait he’s a rear admiral, to which newly created rank he was promoted (along with two other active captains) in 1862.

Before Congress adopted the term “admiral,” U.S. Navy flag officers had actually been called “flag officers” and the rank was only temporary. After his 1864 victory in Mobile Bay, President Abraham Lincoln promoted Farragut to be the first vice admiral. And in 1866 he was promoted to be the first full admiral by congressional act.

In the bottom early (and exceptionally rare) Kodacolor portrait we see Farragut as a full admiral.

Admiral Farragut remained on active duty for life (which ended in 1870, when he was 69), an honor accorded to only seven other U.S. Navy officers after the Civil War.

With his sleeves so heavy with gold-bullion braid (which was used before modern synthetics), Admiral Farragut may have been reluctant to return salutes . . .