Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Lieutenant · U.S. Navy

James Patrick Lannon

Lieutenant James Patrick Lannon, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 22, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) April 22, 1914

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Lieutenant James Patrick Lannon received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 22, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. Lannon was 35 years old.

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

Lannon was born on October 12, 1878 in Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Virginia. Lannon died on March 13, 1953, at the age of 74. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Lannon is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 48 credited to Virginia.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Lt. Lannon assisted a wounded man under heavy fire, and after returning to his battalion, was himself desperately wounded.

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

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, James Patrick Lannon received:

Navy CrossPurple Heart

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Alexandria — map
  • Died: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Virginia →

Timeline

  1. October 12, 1878
    Born in Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia
  2. April 22, 1914
    Act of valor — Vera Cruz, Mexico
    Age 35.
  3. March 13, 1953
    Died
    Age 74.
  4. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

James Patrick Lannon (October 12, 1878 – March 13, 1953) was born in Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1902. He received the Medal of Honor for actions at the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914. He was awarded the Navy Cross for service as commanding officer of USS Nashville (PG-7) in the Mediterranean Sea during World War I, served in World War II, and retired in 1947.

From the Wikipedia article “James Patrick Lannon”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on April 22, 1914

Edwin Alexander Anderson Captain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Smedley Darlington Butler Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Albertus Wright Catlin Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Hugh Carroll Frazer Ensign · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 JG John Grady Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Charles Conway Hartigan Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Jonas Howard Ingram Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Rufus Zenas Johnston Jr. Lieutenant Commander · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Cary Devall Langhorne Surgeon · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 JM John McCloy Chief Boatswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Frederick Vallette McNair Jr. Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 AS Adolphus Staton Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914

See all 14 recipients for April 22, 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.