Landsman Engineer's Force James Francis O'Conner was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 15, 1880 in opposite the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Jean Sands. O'Conner was 18 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
O'Conner was born on November 28, 1861 in Portsmouth, Portsmouth County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Virginia. O'Conner died on September 17, 1940 in Portsmouth, Virginia, at the age of 78. He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Portsmouth, Virginia. Records also list him as O'Connor, James Francis.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For jumping overboard from the U.S.S. Jean Sands, opposite the Norfolk Navy Yard, on the night of 15 June 1880, and rescuing from drowning a young girl who had fallen overboard.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Virginia →
Timeline
- November 28, 1861Born in Portsmouth, Portsmouth County, Virginia
- June 15, 1880Act of valor — opposite the Navy Yard, Norfolk, VirginiaAge 18. U.S.S. Jean Sands
- September 17, 1940Died in Portsmouth, VirginiaAge 78.
- Resting placeOak Grove CemeteryPortsmouth, Virginia
Biography
James Francis O'Conner (November 28, 1861 – September 17, 1940) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “James F. O'Conner”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →