David Farragut: Tennessean, 1801-1870
David Farragut, born in Tennessee, became the greatest U.S. naval officer during the Civil War. He was the first U.S. officer to gain admiral rank. In the battle of Mobile Bay, he said the most famous phrase in U.S. naval history:
"Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!"
"Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!"