John Rodgers was an admiral in the United States Navy. He began his naval career as a commander in the American Civil War and during his postwar service became an admiral.

John Rodgers was a senior naval officer in the United States Navy during its formative years in the 1790s through the late 1830s. He served under six presidents for nearly four decades. His service took him through many military operations in the Quasi-War with France, both Barbary Wars in North Africa, and the War of 1812 with Britain.