Seaman Berrie Henry Jarrett was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Florida. Jarrett was 19 years old.
40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 6, 1915 — presented by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels on the deck of the USS Florida at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York. He later rose to the rank of Gunner.
Jarrett was born on June 10, 1894 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Maryland. Jarrett died on August 14, 1927 in Norfolk, Virginia, at the age of 33. He is buried at Lorraine Park Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.
Jarrett is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 85 credited to Maryland.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Florida Jarrett displayed extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 April 1914.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
- Born: Baltimore — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Maryland →
From the archives
Additional information on his action comes from U.S. Navy General Order No. 116, dated August 19, 1914, which records an after-action report by Rear Admiral F. F. Fletcher: "Conspicuous bravery in action. Was orderly to the brigade commander, and was sent by the latter to the top of the Terminal Hotel to remain there on duty with the signal officer in charge. In addition to his duties he showed conspicuous bravery in assisting to carry Private Daniel Haggerty, United States Marine Corps, who was shot there, to a place of safety. Picked up E. A. Gisburne, electrician, third class, United States Navy, who was on duty there and who was shot and badly wounded, and removed him to a place of safety. Remained by the side of the signal officer under continuous and heavy fire throughout the day, and showed coolness, courage, and conspicuous bravery."
Timeline
- June 10, 1894Born in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
- April 21, 1914Act of valor — Vera Cruz, MexicoAge 19. U.S.S. Florida
- January 6, 1915Medal of Honor presentedPresented by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels on the deck of the USS Florida at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York.
- August 14, 1927Died in Norfolk, VirginiaAge 33.
- Resting placeLorraine Park CemeteryBaltimore, Maryland
Biography
Berrie Henry Jarrett (June 10, 1894 – August 14, 1927) was a warrant officer in the United States Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the United States occupation of Veracruz. He was promoted to the warrant officer rank of gunner on December 12, 1923. He died August 14, 1927, and is buried in Lorraine Park Cemetery, Woodlawn, Maryland.
From the Wikipedia article “Berrie H. Jarrett”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
