Frederick V. McNair Sr.
Frederick Valette McNair (13 January 1839 – 28 November 1900) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy. McNair served as superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1898 to 1900.
Frederick Vallette McNair | |
|---|---|
 Frederick Vallette McNair, Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy | |
| Born | 13 January 1839 Abington, Pennsylvania |
| Died | 28 November 1900 (aged 61) Washington, D.C. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1857–1900 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | United States Naval Observatory (1890–1892) Asiatic Station (1895–1897) United States Naval Academy (1898–1900) |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Biography
McNair, born 13 January 1839 at Abington, Pennsylvania, was appointed midshipman 21 December 1853, graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1857. He served on the Atlantic blockade stations and Mississippi River patrols during the American Civil War, rising to the rank of rear admiral in July 1898. Rear Admiral McNair died at Washington, D.C., 28 November 1900, while awaiting orders.
Admiral McNair was the father of Captain Frederick V. McNair Jr. (1882–1962), who was awarded the Medal of Honor, "For distinguished conduct in battle engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914." Rear Admiral McNair's great-grandson, Frederick V. McNair, IV, is a former professional tennis player who reached the world no. 1 doubles ranking in 1976, great-granddaughter Lailee McNair is a poet and novelist, and great-grandniece Davar Ardalan is an author and journalist.
Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer USS McNair (DD-679) was named in honor of Rear Admiral McNair.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Charles C. Carpenter |
Commander, Asiatic Squadron 21 December 1895–3 January 1898 |
Succeeded by George Dewey |
| Preceded by Philip H. Cooper |
Superintendent of United States Naval Academy 1898-1900 |
Succeeded by Richard Wainwright |