An Act to establish and equalize the Grade of Line Officers of the United States Navy
Law as written, continued;
SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That whenever, upon the recommendation of the President of the United States, any officer of the navy now upon the active list, not below the grade of commander, has received, or shall receive, by name, during the present war, a vote of thanks of Congress for distinguished service, such officer shall not be retired except for cause until he has been fifty-five years in the naval service of the United States.
SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That any line officer of the navy or marine corps may be advanced one grade, if, upon recommendation of the President, by name, be receives the thanks of Congress for highly distinguished conduct in conflict with the enemy, or for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession.
SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That any person who shall have received or shall hereafter receive a temporary appointment as acting volunteer lieutenant or acting master in the navy from civil life authorized by the act of Congress of July twenty-four, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, may be confirmed in said appointment in the navy, and placed in the line of promotion from the date of said confirmation, if, upon the recommendation of the President, he receives the thanks ofCongress for highly meritorious conduct in conflict with the enemy: Provided, The number of officers allowed in each grade by this act shall not be increased thereby. Seamen distinguishing themselves in battle, or by extraordinary heroism in the line of their profession, may be promoted to forward warrant officers, or acting masters' mates, as they may be best qualified, upon the recommendation of their commanding officer, approved by the flag-officer and the department. Upon such promotion they shall receive a gratuity of one hundred dollars and a medal of honor to be prepared by the Navy Department.
SEC. 11. And be it further enacted, That the students at the Naval Academy shall be sty[1]ed midshipmen and until their final graduating examination, when, successful, they shall be commissioned ensigns, ranking according to merit. The number allowed at the academy shall be two for every member and delegate of the House of Representatives, two for the District of Columbia, and ten at large. They shall be between the ages of fourteen and seventeen, physically sound and well formed, and of robust constitution. They shall be examined for admittance into the academy according to the regulations which shall be issued by the Secretary of the Navy, and if rejected shall not have the privilege of another examination for admission to the same class, unless recommended by the board of examiners. The President shall select the two from the District of Columbia and the ten at large, and the President shall also be allowed three yearly appointments of midshipmen, who shall be not over eighteen years of age, who shall be selected from boys enlisted in the navy, and who have been at least one year in the service, six months of which shall have been sea service. From and after the fifth of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, the nomination of candidates for admission into the Naval Academy shall be made between the fifth of March and the first of July of each year upon the recommendation of the member or delegate,from actual residents of his district, and they shall be examined foradmission in July: Provided, That when any candidate who has been sonominated shall upon examination be found physically or mentally disqualified for admission the member or delegate from whose district he was so nominated shall be notified to recommend another candidate who shall be examined in September following. And it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Navy, as soon after the fifth of March as possible, to notify, in writing, each member and delegate of any vacancy that mayexist in his district; and if said member or delegate neglects to recommend a candidate by the first of July in that year, then it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Navy to fill the vacancy. Midshipmen deficient at any examination shall not be continued at the academy, or in the service, unless upon recommendation of the academic board; nor shall any officer of the navy who has been dismissed by sentence of a court-martial, or suffered to resign to escape one, ever again become an officer of the navy: Provided, however, That no greater number of midshipmen shall be appointed by the President at large under this or any other law of Congress than shall be allowed by the provisions of this section.
SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That the three senior rear admirals shall wear a square blue flag at the mainmast head; the next three at the foremast head; and all others at the mizen.
SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That the relative rank between officers of the navy and the army shall be as follows, lineal rank only to be considered:
Rear Admirals with major generals.
Commodores with brigadier generals.
Captains with colonels.
Commanders with lieutenant colonels.
Lieutenant commanders with majors.
Lieutenants with captains.
Masters with first lieutenants.
Ensigns with second lieutenants.
1862 Navy Grades Pg-1 | 1862 Navy Grades Pg-3