Oscar Farenholt

Oscar Walter Farenholt
Oscar Walter Farenholt
Born	(1845-05-02)May 2, 1845 San Antonio, Texas
Died	June 30, 1920(1920-06-30) (aged 75) Mare Island, California
Place of burial	San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California
Allegiance	United States United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1861–1901
Rank	Rear Admiral
Unit	USS Wabash USS Catskill
Commands held	USS Henry Janes USS Pinta USS Monocacy USS Monadnock
Battles/wars	American Civil War Spanish–American War

Rear Admiral Oscar Walter Farenholt (May 2, 1845 – June 30, 1920) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War, the Spanish–American War and is the first enlisted man in the Navy to reach flag rank.

Farenholt was born to German immigrants in San Antonio, Texas, who had settled on a ranch on the Salado River 1842, not far from the famous Alamo Mission. Speaking only German until the age of eight, he was sent to New Orleans to a French school where he learned English for the first time. He continued his schooling until twelve years of age, entering a preparatory school, near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Farenholt eventually broke off his studies believing dismissal from this institution to be in short order due to a boyish scrape, traveled to New Orleans, and shipped out to New York City aboard the American sailing ship Saint Charles. He continued sailing as a merchant sailor until the outbreak of the American Civil War.

Farenholt entered the Navy as a seaman April 24, 1861, after 3 years in the merchant service. He participated in engagements and battles at Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries, Battle of Port Royal, Battle of Fort Pulaski, and numerous others. On October 22, 1862 while serving as a member of the howitzer gun crew aboard USS Wabash, ordinary seaman Farenholt was severely wounded at the Battle of Pocotaligo, South Carolina and was discharged from the Navy. He reentered the U.S. Navy in February, 1863 after recovering and was assigned to the monitor USS Catskill participating in almost daily engagements with defenses of Charleston, South Carolina from April 1863 to April 1864. He participated in the unsuccessful storming party of Fort Sumter in September, 1863. Distinguished service led to his appointment as Acting Ensign on August 19, 1864 and he was in command of the mortar schooner USS Henry Janes attached to the squadron in the Sounds of North Carolina later that year. He also participated in the recapture of Plymouth, North Carolina, and several engagements on the Roanoke, Chowan, and Blackwater rivers as well as the capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina.