Jack Joins the Navy [1]
- In 1841, Jack Wilkes approached his mother about joining the Navy. Although she opposed the idea, Jane Renwick Wilkes [2] sought the help needed to obtain his commission and painstakingly made the uniform for her fourteen-year-old son. His father Charles was still away at sea, and was heartbroken to receive word that Jack was now a Midshipman.
- Jack served aboard a number of ships that traveled to the South Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Brazil. During the Mexican War, Jack was stationed aboard the USS Mississippi. [3]
- In 1847, Jack graduated first in his class at the newly formed United States Naval Academy [4] (pictured at top of this page).
- Jack celebrated Christmas of 1849 with his Smedberg cousins on Beech Street. He and Jeanie Smedberg agreed to write to one another. This correspondence eventually led to their courtship. [5]
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