Lieutenant Colonel John A. Ellet (1838 – 1892) was an officer in the United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 during the American Civil War

American Civil War

The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...

. He was the nephew of Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr.

Charles Ellet, Jr.

Charles Ellet, Jr. was a civil engineer and a colonel during the American Civil War, mortally wounded at the Battle of Memphis.-Biography:Ellet was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, brother of Alfred W...

 and General Alfred W. Ellet

Alfred W. Ellet

Alfred Washington Ellet was a civil engineer and a brigadier general in the Union Army who commanded the United States Ram Fleet during the American Civil War.-Biography:...

.

He commanded the ironclad USS Lancaster

USS Lancaster (1855)

The USS Lancaster was a sidewheel civilian steamer tow boat built in 1855 at Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally it was named Lancaster Number 3 then the Kosciusko. In March through May 1862, she was purchased and converted to a ram by Lt. Col. Charles Ellet, Jr...

 until she sank in March 1863. He also commanded the Ram Fleet.

Namesakes

USS Ellet (DD-398)

USS Ellet (DD-398)

USS Ellet was a Benham-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for five members of the Ellet family of Pennsylvania who rendered service during the American Civil War: Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr.; Brigadier General Alfred W. Ellet; Colonel Charles R. Ellet;...

, which was in service in 1939-46, was named in honor of John A. Ellet and other members of his family.