Alright let’s do this part first. Admiral Farragut is known for saying “"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" Well, that is not 100% true. His original command is shortened to this. This is what was really said.

"What's the trouble?" was shouted through a trumpet from the flagship to the USS Brooklyn by Farragut
"Torpedoes!" was shouted back in reply.
"Damn the torpedoes!" said Farragut, "Four bells. Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!”

With this phrase he too sailed into history. His actions during the Battle of Mobile Bay brought the Union Fleet into the bay defeating in Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines to defeat the squadron of Admiral Franklin Buchanan.

David Farragut was born in 1801 with the original name James. His name was changed by his adoptive father, David Porter in 1808. For those who know their naval history, yes THAT David Porter of USS Essex fame. At age 9 he entered service as a Midshipman. During the War of 1812 he was given his first command, a captured British whaler. During the capture of the Essex by the HMS Phoebe he was wounded in 1814.

The following is a break down of his commands. Look at the list and you see many famous Naval names, Essex, Saratoga, Mare Island, and Independence.

Command History
• 1812, assigned to the Essex.
• 1815 – 1817, served in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the Independence and the Macedonian.
• 1818, studied ashore for nine months at Tunis.
• 1819, served as a lieutenant on the Shark.
• 1823, placed in command of the Ferret.
• 1825, served as a lieutenant on the Brandywine.
• 1826 – 1838, served in subordinate capacities on various vessels.
• 1838, placed in command of the sloop Erie.
• 1841, attained the rank of commander. Mexican-American War, commanded the sloop of war, Saratoga.
• 1848 – 1850, duty at Norfolk, Navy Yard in Virginia.
• 1850 – 1854, duty at Washington, D.C.
• 1855, attained the rank of Captain.
• 1854 – 1858, duty establishing Mare Island Navy Yard at San Francisco Bay.
• 1858 – 1859, commander of the sloop of war Brooklyn.
• American Civil War,Commmander of the fleets
• 1860 – 1861, stationed at Norfolk Navy Yard.
• January 1862, commanded USS Hartford and the West Gulf blockading squadron of 17 vessels.
• April 1862, took command of occupied New Orleans.
• July 16, 1862, promoted to rear admiral.
• June 23, 1862, wounded near Vicksburg, Mississippi.
• May 1863, commanded USS Monongahela.
• May 1863, commanded the USS Pensacola.
• July 1863, commanded USS Tennessee.
• September 5, 1864, offered command of the North Atlantic Blocking Squadron, but he declined.
• December 21, 1864, promoted to vice admiral.
• April 1865, pallbearer for the funeral of Abraham Lincoln.
• July 25, 1866, promoted to admiral.
• June 1867, commanded USS Franklin.
• 1867 – 1868, commanded European Squadron.

He was the first Naval officer to be promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. This was granted for his victory at the Battle of New Orleans. For his actions during the Civil War he was promoted the rank of full Admiral.

During his most famous action at Mobile Bay he tied himself in the rigging of his ship to better see the action. He was allowed to stay on active duty for life. This honor has only been given to 6 naval officers. He died in 1870 at the age of 69. His Naval career lasted 60 years and saw the US Navy grown from a small commerce protection force to a world challenger.

Images and command list from Wikipedia.