- Elie A. F. La Vallette
Elie Augustus Frederick La Vallette (
3 May 1790 –18 November 1862 ) was one of the firstrear admiral s appointed in theUnited States Navy when PresidentAbraham Lincoln created the rank in July 1862.Born in
Alexandria, Virginia , at age 10 La Vallette accompanied his father, a chaplain, on a cruise in "Philadelphia", commanded byStephen Decatur, Sr. . After merchant marine service, be entered the Navy during theWar of 1812 . As acting lieutenant in "Saratoga" during theBattle of Lake Champlain ,11 September ,1814 , he distinguished himself, winning promotion and a medal.He commanded "Congress" during the
Mexican-American War , directing operations againstGuaymas andUrias 19 to 20 November 1847. In the 1850’s he commanded the African, and then the Mediterranean Squadrons.Four months after his appointment as rear admiral, he died in
Philadelphia ,Pennsylvania .Namesakes and honors
Two ships have been named USS "La Vallette" for him.
The Borough of
Lavallette, New Jersey was named in his honor and was co-founded by his son Albert T. Lavallette. [ [http://www.lavallette.com/about.cfm Brief history on Lavallette] , Borough of Lavalette. AccessedJuly 19 ,2007 . "Lavallette was co-founded in 1888 by Albert T. Lavallette and named after his father, the famous Admiral Elie A.F. Lavallette."]ee also
References
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