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Ensign · U.S. Navy

Edward Orrick McDonnell

Ensign Edward Orrick McDonnell, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) April 21, 1914

Ensign Edward Orrick McDonnell, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. McDonnell was 22 years old.

40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Vice Admiral.

McDonnell was born on November 13, 1891 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Maryland. McDonnell died on January 6, 1960 in North Carolina, at the age of 68. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

McDonnell is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 85 credited to Maryland.

★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. Posted on the roof of the Terminal Hotel and landing, Ens. McDonnell established a signal station there day and night, maintaining communication between troops and ships. At this exposed post he was continually under fire. One man was killed and three wounded at his side during the two days' fighting. He showed extraordinary heroism and striking courage and maintained his station in the highest degree of efficiency. All signals got through, largely due to his heroic devotion to duty.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Edward Orrick McDonnell received:

Bronze Star MedalWorld War II Victory Medal

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

1914 · Veracruz 1914

Battle of Veracruz

Result: American victory; Veracruz occupied by the United States; Military Government of Veracruz established;...

19 Medal of Honor recipients

Also served in: World War I, World War II.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Baltimore — map
  • Died: Bolivia — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Maryland →

Timeline

  1. November 13, 1891
    Born in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
  2. April 21, 1914
    Act of valor — Vera Cruz, Mexico
    Age 22.
  3. January 6, 1960
    Died in North Carolina
    Age 68.
  4. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

Edward Orrick McDonnell (November 13, 1891 – January 6, 1960) was an American vice admiral and Medal of Honor recipient.

From the Wikipedia article “Edward Orrick McDonnell”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on April 21, 1914

OB Oscar Charles Badger Ensign · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 HB Harry C. Beasley Seaman · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Randolph Carter Berkeley Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Charles Francis Bishop Quartermaster Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GB George Bradley Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Allen Buchanan Lieutenant Commander · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Guy Wilkinson stuart Castle Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 George McCall Courts Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GC George Cregan Coxswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 PD Percy A. Decker Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Abraham Desomer Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 ND Niels Drustrup Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914

See all 41 recipients for April 21, 1914 →

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.