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.

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.

R.Adm. 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.

Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer USS McNair (DD-679) was named in honor of Rear Admiral McNair.