Career
Born in Newburgh, New York, Case was appointed midshipman in 1828. He participated in the Wilkes Expedition of 1837-1842 which explored the South Seas and discovered the Antarctic Continent. During the Mexican-American War, he held the town of Palisada with 25 men against the Mexican cavalry for two weeks to block the escape of General Santa Ana.
He also participated in the Paraguay expedition of 1859.
In the Civil War he was Fleet Captain of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in its capture of Forts Clark and Hatteras in August 1861, and commanded Iroquois in the blockade of New Inlet, North Carolina. From 1873 to 1875, he commanded the European Squadron, and the combined European, North and South Atlantic Squadrons assembled at Key West in 1874.
Admiral Case retired in 1875, and died in Washington in 1893. His grave site is located in Island Cemetery, Newport, Rhode Island.
Two ships have been named United States Ship Case for him.
