Edward D. Taussig

Edward David Taussig was a decorated Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He is best remembered for being the officer to claim Wake Island after the SpanishAmerican War, as well as accepting the physical relinquishment of Guam by its indigenous governor following the Treaty of Paris in which Spain ceded Guam to the U.S. following nearly 300 years of colonial rule. Taussig briefly served as Governor of Guam. He was the first of a fourgenerational family of United States Naval Academy graduates that served from 1863 to 1954 including his son, Vice Admiral Joseph K. Taussig , grandson Captain Joseph K. Taussig, Jr. , and greatgrandson, Captain Joseph K. Taussig USMC .

Taussig was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of a wool broker, Charles and his wife, Anna , who had emigrated from Austria in 1840. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy during the Civil War and entered on July 23, 1863. His education over the next four years included service on the Macedonian. Graduating in June 1867 he served on the steam frigate Minnesota from July to December 1867 and thereafter variously on the Wateree, Powhatan, Onward and Resaca from January 1868 to April 1870. He was commissioned an ensign onDecember 1868. His early sea service was perhaps most remarkable for his time as a passed midshipman on the gunboat Wateree when a tidal wave washed her far inland at Arica , onAugust 1868. He was decorated for his actions during this event.

Source: Wikipedia