<P> The Battle of Manila Bay ( Spanish : Batalla de Bahía de Manila ) , also known as the Battle of Cavite , took place on 1 May 1898 , during the Spanish -- American War . The American Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey engaged and destroyed the Spanish Pacific Squadron under Contraalmirante ( Rear admiral ) Patricio Montojo . The battle took place in Manila Bay in the Philippines , and was the first major engagement of the Spanish -- American War . The battle was one of the most decisive naval battles in history and marked the end of the Spanish colonial period in Philippine history . </P>
<P> The Battle of Manila Bay ( Spanish : Batalla de Bahía de Manila ) , also known as the Battle of Cavite , took place on 1 May 1898 , during the Spanish -- American War . The American Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey engaged and destroyed the Spanish Pacific Squadron under Contraalmirante ( Rear admiral ) Patricio Montojo . The battle took place in Manila Bay in the Philippines , and was the first major engagement of the Spanish -- American War . The battle was one of the most decisive naval battles in history and marked the end of the Spanish colonial period in Philippine history . </P>
commander of the naval squadron that attacked manila bay
commander of the naval squadron that attacked manila bay
Commodore George Dewey
Commodore George Dewey