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Gunner's Mate Third Class · U.S. Navy

John Davis

Gunner's Mate Third Class John Davis, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War May 11, 1898Born in Germany

Gunner's Mate Third Class John Davis 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. Marblehead. Davis was 20 years old.

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

Davis was born on October 28, 1877 in Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. Davis died on June 9, 1970 in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the age of 92. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by Founding Forward, Valley Forge, PA.

Davis is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Davis set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II, World War I, Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Germany — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. October 28, 1877
    Born in Germany
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 20. U.S.S. Marblehead
  3. June 9, 1970
    Died in St. Petersburg, Florida
    Age 92.
  4. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

John Davis (October 28, 1877 – June 9, 1970) was a United States Navy officer who served during the Spanish–American War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the war. During the Spanish–American War, Davis served aboard USS Marblehead (C-11). He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the war and was later buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

From the Wikipedia article “John Davis (Medal of Honor, 1898)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on May 11, 1898

Benjamin F. Baker Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DB David Duffy Barrow Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AB Albert Beyer Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 RB Robert Blume Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George F. Brady Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Washington Bright Coal Passer · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DC Daniel J. Campbell Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 JC Joseph Edward Carter Blacksmith · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 LC Leonard B. Chadwick Apprentice First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 TC Thomas C. Cooney Chief Machinist · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JD John James Doran Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

Same unit

WF William Farley Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863 WM William Henry Morin Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WS William Spicer Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AS Axel Leohard Sundquist Chief Carpenter's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 ST Samuel S. Triplett Ordinary Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

More Spanish-American War recipients from New York

FF Frank Ottis Fournia Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 Albert Leopold Mills Captain & Assistant Adjutant General · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 TK Thomas Kelly Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 HP Herman Pfisterer Musician · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 Claus Kristian randolph Clausen Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WK William G. Keller Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898
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.