Thomas Oliver Selfridge

Rear Admiral Thomas Oliver Selfridge (24 April 1804 – 15 October 1902) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War and was the father of Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr.

Selfridge was appointed midshipman on 1 January 1818. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1827, he served in the East India, Mediterranean, and Pacific Squadrons. He took command of sloop USS Dale (1839), in May 1847 and participated in the capture of Mazatlán and Guaymas. Badly wounded in the latter engagement, he was invalided home in June 1848. He was subsequently assigned to the Boston Navy Yard, where he remained until 1861. He commanded USS Mississippi (1841), flagship of the Gulf Squadron, on blockade duty off Mobile, Alabama and off the passes of the Mississippi River.

His old wound forced him to relinquish his command in February 1862, and he served ashore until retiring in 1866.

He was a Veteran Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Military Order of Foreign Wars.

Rear Admiral Selfridge died in Waverly (now part of Belmont, Massachusetts).

Namesakes

 * The United States Navy destroyer USS Selfridge (DD-320) was named for him, while USS Selfridge (DD-357) was named for him and his son.