John Dempsey (Medal of Honor)

John Dempsey (1848-1884) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

John Dempsey
Born1848
Ireland
DiedSeptember 14, 1884
San Francisco, California
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankSeaman
UnitUSS Kearsarge
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Born in 1848 in Ireland, Dempsey immigrated to the United States and joined the U.S. Navy from Massachusetts. By January 23, 1875, he was serving as a seaman on the USS Kearsarge. On that day, while Kearsarge was at Shanghai, China, he jumped overboard and rescued a shipmate from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.[1]

Dempsey's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Kearsarge at Shanghai, China, 23 January 1875. Displaying gallant conduct, Dempsey jumped overboard from the Kearsarge and rescued from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.[1]

See also

References

  1. "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2010.


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