William B. Cushing
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Fearless, bold young U.S. Navy officer during the American Civil War, best known for sinking the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle during a daring nighttime raid on October 27, 1864, a feat for which he received the Thanks of Congress. William Barker Cushing was born in Delafield, Wisconsin on November 4, 1842, and was raised in upstate New York. He was expelled from the United States Naval Academy for pranks and poor scholarship. At the outbreak of the Civil War, however, he pled his case to United States Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, was reinstated and went on to a distinguished record, frequently volunteering for the most hazardous missions. His heroism and coolness under fire were legendary. One biographer referred to Cushing as "Lincoln's commando." Cushing was promoted to lieutenant in 1862, and to commander in 1872, although many historians believe he deserved even greater honors. Both of his brothers died in uniform, one in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, and another while fighting the Apache tribe in 1871.
Cushing commanded several U.S. warships after the Civil War, and died on December 17, 1874, leaving a widow and two daughters. The Spruance-class destroyer USS Cushing, DD 985, is the fifth U.S. warship to bear his name.
