Those were his orders from the Secretary of the Navy.
The US and Spain were at War and the Spanish Navy's Philippine Squadron was based in Manila. He sought out the enemy and destroyed it, which is exactly what he was ordered to do.
US Commodore George Dewey.
He was ordered to attack the Spanish, and Manila Bay was where the Spanish warships were anchored.
Commodore George Dewey of the Asiatic Fleet.
Commodore George Dewey and the US Asiatic Squadron, based in China, attacked the Spanish in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
Those were his orders.
Manila.
US Commodore George Dewey.
The first battle was at Manila Bay in which Commodore George Dewey destroyed the Spanish Philippine Fleet.
The Battle of Manila Bay under Commodore George Dewey.
He was ordered to attack the Spanish, and Manila Bay was where the Spanish warships were anchored.
George Dewey.
Commodore George Dewey of the Asiatic Fleet.
Commodore George Dewey and the US Asiatic Squadron, based in China, attacked the Spanish in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
Those were his orders.
Those were his orders.
Manila Bay was ruled by Spain, and the ships belonged to the Spanish.
Commodore George Dewey was in charge of the American Fleet in the Philippines. They soundly defeated the Spanish Fleet. Under his direction the ground battles were continued leading the the US victory.