Oscar Walter Farenholt
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| Oscar Walter Farenholt | |
|---|---|
| May 2, 1843 – Jun 30, 1920 | |
| Place of birth | San Antonio, Texas |
| Place of death | Mare Island, California |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  U.S. Navy |
| Years of service | 1861-1901 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Unit | USS Wabash USS Catskill |
| Commands held | USS Henry James USS Pinta (USS Monocacy |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Spanish-American War |
Rear Admiral Oscar Walter Farenholt May 2, 1843 – Jun 30, 1920 was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War and is the first enlisted man in the Navy to reach flag rank.
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[edit] Early life
Farenholt was born to German immigrants in San Antonio, Texas, who had settled on a ranch on the Salado River 1842, not far from the famous Alamo mission. Speaking only German until the age of eight, he was sent to New Orleans to a French school where he learned English for the first time. He continued his schooling till twelve years of age, entering the Preparatory University-school at Donaldsonville, near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Farenhol eventually broke off his studies believing dismissal from this institution to be in short order do to a boyish scrape, traveled to New Orleans, and shipped out to New York aboard the American sailing ship Saint Charles. He continued sailing as a merchant-sailor until the outbreak of the American Civil War.
[edit] Civil War
Farenholt entered the Navy as a seaman April 24, 1861, after 3 years in the merchant service. He participated in engagements and battles at Fort Hatteras, North Carolina, Port Royal, South Carolina, Fort Pulaski, Georgia, etc. On Oct 22, 1862 while serving as a member of the howitzer gun crew aboard the USS Wabash, ordinary seaman Farenholt was severely wounded at the battle of Pocotaligo, South Carolina and was discharged from the Navy. He reentered the U.S. Navy in February, 1863 after recovering and was assigned to the monitor USS Catskill participating in almost daily engagements with defenses of Charleston, South Carolina from April 1863 to April 1864. He participated in the unsuccessful storming party of Fort Sumter as well in September, 1863. Distinguished service led to his appointment as Acting Ensign on August 19, 1864 and he was in command of the mortar schooner USS Henry James attached to the squadron in the Sounds of North Carolina later that year. He also participated in the recapture of Plymouth, and several engagements on the Roanoke, Chowan, and Black Water rivers as well as the capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
[edit] Post Civil War
Farenholt was assigned various duties and was promoted to Command Ensign on March 12, 1868, Master on December 18, 1868, Lieutenant on March 21, 1870, Lieutenant Commander on May 11, 1882, in 1890 he was on sea duty attached to the USS Pinta which was in port in Sitka Borough, Alaska, and he was promoted to Commander on June 19, 1892.
[edit] Spanish-American War
In command of the USS Monocacy, an old and slow vessel with all but 50 remaining crew members, removed she was considered "only fit for a museum shelf." His ship was used as base of procurement at Shanghai for Dewey’s fleet. He was given the task of obtaining a source for coal and supplies for the Asiatic Squadron through a Chinese intermediary. The efforts were kept secret, because this was against the neutrality laws.
[edit] Post Spanish-American War
He served at the Boston Navy Yard and at the Naval War College in February, 1899. He was promoted Captain in September, 1900, served as Commandant of the Navy Yard at Cavite in the Philippine Islands in 1901, was Commander of the monitor USS Monadnock in the Asiatic station during 1901, was promoted Rear Admiral September 1, 1901, the first enlisted man in the Navy to reach flag rank, and voluntarily retired after giving 40 years of active service. Oscar married Miss Ella Mortimer Ames (born 1848 in Massachusetts). Rear Admiral Farenholt retired September 1, 1901 and died June 30, 1920 at Mare Island, California. Ella died March 21, 1925 in California and both are buried at the San Francisco National Cemetery San Francisco, California.
