Coal Passer George Washington Bright was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Nashville. Bright was 23 years old.
54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 16, 1899 — presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.
Bright was born on December 27, 1874 in Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Virginia. Bright died on March 20, 1949 in Richmond, Virginia, at the age of 74. He is buried at Blanford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia.
Bright is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 48 credited to Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Bright set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Spanish–American War.
Places
- Born: Norfolk — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Virginia →
Timeline
- December 27, 1874Born in Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
- May 11, 1898Act of valor — Cienfuegos, CubaAge 23. U.S.S. Nashville
- August 16, 1899Medal of Honor presentedPresented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.
- March 20, 1949Died in Richmond, VirginiaAge 74.
- Resting placeBlanford CemeteryPetersburg, Virginia
Biography
George Washington Bright (December 27, 1874 – March 20, 1949) was an American sailor serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for his actions.
From the Wikipedia article “George Washington Bright”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
