Philo McGiffin

Philo Norton McGiffin (December 12/13, 1860 – February 11, 1897) was an American mercenary serving in Chinese service as a naval advisor during the First Sino-Japanese War. Although primarily skilled as an instructor and administrator, he proved a talented tactician during the September 17, 1894 Battle of the Yalu River. He was the first American to command a modern battleship in wartime.

During the Battle of the Yalu River, McGiffin suffered severe head injuries from enemy shellfire. In the years following the battle, he was approaching total blindness, and experiencing mental instability from the effects of his wounds. He was hospitalized, but he committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver which he had kept amongst his personal effect.