Robert F. Lopez
Encyclopedia
Robert Files Lopez was an officer in the United States Navy
. He entered Annapolis with the Class of 1879, and he became the first Hispanic-American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy
.
The highlight of his 32-year naval career, was his service under Admiral Dewey's command at the first major engagement of the Spanish-American War
, the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898.
Captain Lopez's last posting before retirement was as senior member of a naval board which conducted a general survey of vessels on the Pacific coast. He retired as a Commodore (Rear Admiral
) in 1911.
Upon America's entry into World War I
in 1917, Lopez was recalled to duty as acting commandant of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
, located northeast of San Francisco.
Commodore Lopez died in Alameda, California
after a year's illness at the age of 77.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. He entered Annapolis with the Class of 1879, and he became the first Hispanic-American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
.
The highlight of his 32-year naval career, was his service under Admiral Dewey's command at the first major engagement of the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898.
Captain Lopez's last posting before retirement was as senior member of a naval board which conducted a general survey of vessels on the Pacific coast. He retired as a Commodore (Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
) in 1911.
Upon America's entry into World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1917, Lopez was recalled to duty as acting commandant of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard was the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean. It is located 25 miles northeast of San Francisco in Vallejo, California. The Napa River goes through the Mare Island Strait and separates the peninsula shipyard from the main portion of the...
, located northeast of San Francisco.
Commodore Lopez died in Alameda, California
Alameda, California
Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located on Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island, and is adjacent to Oakland in the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Farm Island portion of the city is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport. At the 2010 census, the city had a...
after a year's illness at the age of 77.
See also
- Hispanics in the United States Naval AcademyHispanics in the United States Naval AcademyHispanics in the United States Naval Academy account for the largest minority group in the institution. According to the Academy, the Class of 2009 includes 271 minority midshipmen. Out of these 271 midshipmen, 115 are of Hispanic heritage...