William F. Halsey, Sr.

William Frederick Halsey (April 11, 1853 – June 11, 1920) was a United States naval officer. He is the father of William Halsey Jr., one of only four American naval officers to obtain the five-star rank of Fleet Admiral. Biography Early life William Frederick Halsey was born on April 11, 1853, in New York, New York, the son of Eliza Grace (King) and Charles Henry Halsey. He was a descendant of United States Senator Rufus King. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Louisiana and entered naval service a midshipman at the Naval Academy in September 1869. Career As a lieutenant, Halsey was stationed on the,, and was navigator of the in May 1898. During the Spanish–American War the Newark served as the flagship of Commodore John C. Watson during the engagement of Aguadores and as part of the fleet blockading Santiago, Cuba. That September, he received orders to the Naval Academy.