 And on 16 July 1862, during our Civil War, David Glasgow Farragut, in recognition of his victory at New Orleans, was promoted to Rear Admiral, the first officer to hold that rank in our Navy. The measure passed by Congress created the rank of Rear Admiral and allowed nine Rear Admirals. Rear Admirals were to rank with Major Generals in the Army. On 18 July 1918, during World War I,