{"id":45558,"date":"2023-05-02T21:00:35","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T21:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/05\/02\/navy-drops-confederate-namesake-from-naval-academy-residence\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:13:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:13:19","slug":"navy-drops-confederate-namesake-from-naval-academy-residence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2023\/05\/02\/navy-drops-confederate-namesake-from-naval-academy-residence\/","title":{"rendered":"Navy drops Confederate namesake from Naval Academy residence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The official quarters of the Naval Academy\u2019s superintendent are being renamed to honor the Navy\u2019s first flag officer, the military\u2019s latest step in removing the names of Confederate troops from bases<\/a> and facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going forward, the superintendent\u2019s residence will be known as Farragut House, after Adm. David Glasgow Farragut, a Civil War hero who became the first naval officer appointed rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral in the 1800s, according to the Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born the son of a Spanish immigrant in 1801, Farragut was appointed a midshipman at the tender age of 9 and later coined the iconic phrase, \u201cdamn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He chose the Union during the Civil War, leaving his home in Norfolk, and led the fleet during the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he captured two confederate ships, according to the Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAdmiral Farragut was a true American hero,\u201d Del Toro said in a statement. \u201cHe had a choice during the Civil War and he chose loyalty to the Union, which required moral courage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t