John McCarton

John McCarton (1847–1887)[1] was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

John McCarton
Born1847
Brooklyn, New York
DiedDecember 22, 1887(1887-12-22) (aged 39–40) [1]
Place of burial
Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn [1]
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankShip's Printer
UnitUSS New Hampshire
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Born in 1847 in Brooklyn, New York, McCarton joined the Navy from that state. By January 4, 1882, he was serving as a ship's printer on the training ship USS New Hampshire. On that day, while New Hampshire was off Coaster's Harbor Island in Newport, Rhode Island, he and another sailor, Quartermaster Henry J. Manning, jumped overboard in an attempt to save Second Class Musician Jabez Smith from drowning. For this action, both McCarton and Manning were awarded the Medal of Honor three years later, on October 18, 1884.[2]

McCarton's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For jumping overboard from the U.S. Training Ship New Hampshire off Coasters Harbor Island, near Newport, R.l., 4 January 1882, and endeavoring to rescue Jabez Smith, second class musician, from drowning. [2]

See also

References
  1. List of peace time Medal of Honors recipients (1871-1898) at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs history site
  2. "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
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