From May through December 1865, Palmer held administrative posts in Washington, D.C. That December he was appointed commander of the North Atlantic Squadron, with serving as his flagship. On July 25, 1866, he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral. While still commanding the North Atlantic Squadron, Rear Admiral James S. Palmer died of yellow fever at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He was buried in New York City. Namesake The destroyer was named for him. See also Bibliography of American Civil War naval history Union Navy Confederate Navy Bibliography Url Further reading Url References 1810 births 1867 deaths Deaths from yellow fever United States Navy admirals Union Navy admirals People of New Jersey in the American Civil War Infectious disease deaths in the United States Virgin Islands