James F. Schenck

James Findlay Schenck
James Findlay Schenck
Born	June 11, 1807; Franklin, Ohio
Died	December 21, 1882 (aged 75); Dayton, Ohio
Place of burial	Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1825–1869
Rank	Rear admiral
Commands	Saginaw; St. Lawrence; Powhatan
Battles / wars	Mexican–American War; Cochinchina Campaign; Bombardment of Qui Nhơn; American Civil War
Relations	Robert C. Schenck (brother)

James Findlay Schenck (June 11, 1807 – December 21, 1882) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy who served in the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. His younger brother, Robert C. Schenck, was a Union Army general and a United States Ambassador to Brazil.

Biography

Born in Franklin, Ohio, he was the son of William C. Schenck, the founder of Franklin. He entered West Point as a cadet in the class of 1826, but left before graduation. Schenck was appointed midshipman in the United States Navy in 1825, and later promoted to lieutenant. During the Mexican–American War, he served under Commodore Stockton in the Conquest of California. In 1846, Schenck planted American victory flags at Santa Barbara, San Pedro and Pueblo de Los Angeles, claiming the areas as United States territory.^[1]

In 1862, Schenck was given command of St. Lawrence in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. Schenck also commanded Powhatan and the 3rd Division of Admiral David Dixon Porter's fleet in operations against Fort Fisher, and was mentioned for gallantry in Admiral Porter's action report. He was later promoted to rear admiral on September 21, 1868, and retired on June 11, 1869.

Rear Admiral Schenck died at Dayton, Ohio, and is interred in the Woodland Cemetery in Dayton.