- Bowman H. McCalla
Rear Admiral Bowman H. McCalla (
19 June 1844 –6 May 1910 ) was an officer in theUnited States Navy , who was noted for his roles in theSpanish-American War and putting down theBoxer Rebellion .Born in
Camden, New Jersey , McCalla was appointedmidshipman November 30 1861 . McCalla's courage and leadership during his career often earned him great, and due, respect among his fellow officers.In the spring of 1885, he led an expeditionary force of 750 seamen and marines which landed at
Panama to protect American treaty rights when a revolution there threatened to block transit across the isthmus.As commanding officer of "Marblehead",
September 11 1897 toSeptember 16 1898 , he took part in the blockade ofCuba and was responsible for the cutting of submarine cables linking Cienfuegos with the outside world, thus isolating the Spanish garrison there, in May 1898. In June 1898, he led the invasion of Guantánamo Bay.While in command of "Newark" during the
Boxer Rebellion two years later, he was cited for conspicuous gallantry in battle as he led a force of sailors fromTientsin toPeking . McCalla's force of 112 men spearheaded an international column, under British Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, which was attempting to fight its way to the aid of foreign legations under siege at Peking. In the course of the battle at Hsiku Arsenal, McCalla, along with 25 of his force, was wounded; five were killed.Commissioned rear admiral
October 11 1903 , and entered on the retired listJune 19 1906 , McCalla died onMay 6 1910 atSanta Barbara, California , and was buried inArlington National Cemetery .Namesakes
Two ships have been named USS "McCalla" for him.
References
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