b. 22/10/1877 Allentown, Pennsylvania. d. 16/11/1950 Salem, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 11/05/1898 Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Spanish-American War Medal of Honor Recipient. Also known as John Phillip Rilley, he was issued the award on July 7, 1899 for his actions as a landsman assigned to the US Navy gunboat USS Nashville on May 11, 1898, off the coast of Cienfuegos, Cuba.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Rilley displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
BURIAL LOCATION: GREENLAWN CEMETERY, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.
EULALIA PATH, LOT 2751.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.