John Davis MOH 1898

b. 28/10/1877 Germany. d. 09/06/1970 St Petersburg, Florida.

DATE OF MOH ACTION: 11/05/1898 Cienfuegos, Cuba.

John Davis MOH

Spanish-American War Medal of Honor Recipient. A German immigrant, he was issued the award on July 7, 1899 for his actions while serving as a gunner’s mate, 3rd class, on board the US Navy cruiser USS Marblehead, on May 11, 1898, off the coast of Cuba. Following the war, he was warranted as a boatswain in May 1904, and was promoted to the rank of chief boatswain six years later. During World War I received a temporary promotion to the rank of lieutenant and retired at the rank of lieutenant commander. He died at the age of 92, the last Spanish-American War Medal of Honor to pass away. His Medal of Honor citation reads: “On board the U.S.S. Marblehead, during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Davis set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.”

 

MOH CITATION:

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead, during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Davis set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

 

BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.

SECTION 11, LOT 639-SS

LOCATION OF MEDAL: FREEDOMS FOUNDATION, VALLEY FORGE, PENNSYLVANIA.