b. 07/08/1888 Springfield, Illinois. d. 18/12/1930 Springfield, Illinois.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 24/09/1911 Basilan, Philippines.
John Catherwood MOH
Philippine Insurrection Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award for his actions as an US Navy ordinary seaman assigned to the USS Pampanga on September 24, 1911, on the Basilan Island during the Moro Rebellion, otherwise known as the Philippine Insurrection. He was one of seven men who were awarded the Medal of Honor on that day. He was presented with his Medal in January 1912. After recovering from his wounds, he returned to his hometown of Springfield, Illinois where he died at the age of 42 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Originally interred at Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery, in 1987 his remains were moved to Springfield’s Camp Butler National Cemetery., following a request from his family.
MOH CITATION:
While attached to the U.S.S. Pampang, Catherwood was one of a shore party moving in to capture Mundang, on the island of Basilan, Philippine Islands, on the morning of 24 September 1911. Advancing with the scout party to reconnoiter a group of nipa huts close to the trail, Catherwood unhesitatingly entered the open area before the huts, where his party was suddenly taken under point-blank fire and charged by approximately 20 enemy Moros coming out from inside the native huts and from other concealed positions. Struck down almost instantly by the outlaws’ deadly fire, Catherwood, although unable to rise, rallied to the defense of his leader and fought desperately to beat off the hostile attack. By his valiant effort under fire and in the face of great odds, Catherwood contributed materially toward the destruction and rout of the enemy.
BURIAL LOCATION: CAMP BUTLER NATIONAL CEMETERY, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.
SECTION F, SITE 1
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
