b. 02/04/1871 Waterford, Ireland. d. 26/04/1913 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 25/03, 27/03, 29/03 and 05/04/1899 Philippines.
Prendergast (spelt Pendegrast) joined the Marine Corps from Boston in May 1893, and was honorably discharged in July 1907.
While a corporal, Prendergast was one of three Marines attached to the Eighth Army Corps, involved in the jungle fighting against the insurgent forces of Emilio Aguinaldo. In his Medal of Honor citation, he was cited for “distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle” for actions on March 25, 27, and 29 and April 5, 1899. In this period, American forces cleared the insurgents from the vicinity of Manila and captured the rebel capital of Malolos, forcing Aguinaldo’s command northward into the mountains. His Medal of Honor was awarded on July 19, 1901.
The other men awarded Medals of Honor for these actions were Private Howard Major Buckley and Private Joseph Leonard.
Prendergast is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Philadelphia. His grave, which had long been unmarked, received a gravestone in 2004, with military honours.
MOH CITATION:
For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle, while with the 8th Army Corps on 25, 27, 29 March, and 5 April 1899.
BURIAL LOCATION: GREENWOOD CEMETERY, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.
SECTION J, DIVISION I, LOT 247.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
