Private James Cooney, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on July 13, 1900 in Tientsin, China during the Boxer Rebellion. Cooney was 39 years old.
7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 11, 1901. He later rose to the rank of Corporal.
Cooney was born on July 27, 1860 in Limerick, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Cooney died on March 14, 1903, at the age of 42. He is buried at Mare Island Cemetery in Vallejo, California.
Cooney is one of 59 Medal of Honor recipients from the Boxer Rebellion and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
In the presence of the enemy during the battle near Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900, Cooney distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Boxer Rebellion.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- July 27, 1860Born in Limerick, Ireland
- July 13, 1900Act of valor — Tientsin, ChinaAge 39.
- December 11, 1901Medal of Honor presented
- March 14, 1903DiedAge 42.
- Resting placeMare Island CemeteryVallejo, California
Biography
James Cooney (July 27, 1860 – March 14, 1903) was an Irishman serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Boxer Rebellion who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
From the Wikipedia article “James Cooney (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
