The Old Navy

by Daniel P. Mannix

Autobiography of Rear Admiral Daniel P. Mannix III . Very intimate look at a boy growing up in a Navy family and going on to fill his father's shoes. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0025794701
• ISBN13: 9780025794702
• Release Date: January 1983
• Publisher: MacMillan Publishing Company
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Relevant reading for today's conflicts

I agree with everything that the other reviewer who gave this 5 stars said. However, what is left out is Admiral Mannix's description of the American conflict in the Philippines (1899-1905); specifically the use of anti-guerilla tactics against the Moros (Muslims) that we might find politically incorrect today in the Afghan and Iraqi conflicts. More pointedly the author describes the success's reached by covering dead Moro suicide bombers with pig grease (in order to prevent them from going to heaven) and the benefits incurred in terms of disincentivizing suicide activities on part of the Moros as result. The author opines that this is a key reason for the defeat of the insurgency.

Iron Men And Wooden Ships

"The Old Navy" by Rear Admiral Daniel P. Mannix, 3rd, as edited by Daniel P. Mannix 4th, Macmillan Publishing, New York, 1983. The Mannix family had a tradition of serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. One photo, (following page 90) shows the four generations of Mannix swords, worn from the Civil War down to World War II. The youngest sword belonged to Daniel P. Mannix, 4th, the individual who edited the diaries and journals of his father (the 3rd), to produce this very interesting primary source for U. S. Naval History from the Boxer Rebellion down to 1928 when Mannix the 3rd retired from active service. The story begins in China where the young Mannix (the 3rd0 was raised and where he learned Chinese. Unfortunately, he admits that he forgot all his Chinese as he grew up. Admitted to the Naval Academy, the young Mannix has the opportunity to serve on the USS Indiana as the Spanish-American War (1898) broke out. He describes the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba. Then, peace. Although there was no war, the newly commissioned Mannix was still busy. Ensign Mannix helped to put down a riot, visited Edwardian England (1903), Imperial Germany, and then to Japan, China and Vladivostok. His transfer to destroyers gave him four years of enjoyable service when World War I broke out. During the First World War, Mannix was in command of a mine layer, which he described as hazardous duty of different kind. With the end of that war, Mannix (the 3rd) is assigned to transport Service duty, where the hazards were more political than real. Finally, after a tour of duty in "The Levant", the then Captain retires. It was only later that a friend saw to it that Mannix the 3rd would be promoted to Rear Admiral. This book provides a primary source for service in the U. S. Navy and for one view of the opinions and politics of the time. of the 20th Century.