b. 05/1857 Lowell, Massachusetts. d. 17/03/1917 Lowell, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 21/04/1882 Newport, Rhode Island.
Born in 1857 in Lowell, Massachusetts as Michael J Garvey, Sullivan joined the Navy from that state under his alias. By April 21, 1882, he was serving as a boatswain’s mate on the training ship USS New Hampshire. On that day, while New Hampshire was at Newport, Rhode Island, he and another sailor, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Jeremiah Troy, jumped overboard and rescued Third Class Boy Francis T. Price from drowning. For this action, both Sullivan and Troy were awarded the Medal of Honor two and a half years later, on October 18, 1884.
MOH CITATION:
For jumping overboard from the U.S. training ship New Hampshire, at Newport, R.I., 21 April 1882, and rescuing from drowning Francis T. Price, third class boy.
BURIAL LOCATION: ST PATRICK’S CEMETERY, LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.
YARD 6, RANGE 34, LOT 34.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
