Introduction/ChildhoodPerhaps the most notable part of David Farragut's life is his Civil War career as a brave naval officer. Not only that, but it played an important role in the Battle of Louisiana, Vicksburg, and Mobile Bay. His famous phrase, "Damn the torpedoes!" he is remembered by naval officers as a courageous Farragut struggling to navigate torpedo-infested waters at the Battle of Mobile Bay. An officer from a young age, Farragut is what every Navy wants: a smart, courageous, and loyal commander. Farragut was born on July 5, 1801 to Major Jorge Farragut. Jorge Farragut was a Spanish sailor in the U.S. Army during the American Revolution. Farragut was originally named James Glasgow Farragut; was born in Tennessee. A few years after Farragut was born, his family moved to Louisiana. While his father, Jorge, was fishing, he came across a rowboat carrying an unconscious old man. Jorge cared for the old man until his death. Later, a man named David Porter claimed the man as his father. Porter was a rising star in the US Navy. In gratitude to Jorge, Porter offered to take young Farragut to sea as a sort of naval apprentice, also known as a midshipman. Jorge was grateful and immediately accepted the offer. A young Farragut joined the Navy at age 9. To honor his adoptive father, Farragut later changed his name from James to David. Early Naval Career Within weeks, Farragut headed to Washington while his guardian set sail. He attended the naval academy; a year later, Porter returned and took the nine-year-old Farragut to the battleship Essex, which was docked in Norfolk, Virginia. Farragut was the youngest ensign aboard. He proved to be brave, loyal and determined, especially when he was...... the center of the card...... the War Battlefields. Civil War Trust, nd Web. May 21, 2014. Hickman, Kennedy. "Admiral David G. Farragut - Civil War Admiral David Farragut - Civil War - US Navy." About.com Military History. About.com and Web. May 21, 2014. Schneller, Robert J., Jr. Farragut: America's First Admiral. Washington, DC: Potomac, 2002. Print.Symonds, Craig L. "Damn the Torpedoes! The Battle of Mobile Bay." Civil War Trust: Saving the Battlefields of the American Civil War. Civil War Trust, Winter 2008. Web. May 21, 2014. Troolin, Amy. "The Battle of Mobile Bay." The Battle of Mobile Bay: summary and meaning. Educational portal and Web. May 21, 2014. United States. National Park Service. "Farragut, Admiral David Glasglow, Gravesite --- American Latino Heritage: A Travel Itinerary Discovering Our Shared Heritage." National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. May 21 2014.