Seaman John Dempsey, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on January 23, 1875 in Shanghai, China — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Kearsarge. Dempsey was about 27 years old.
Dempsey was born in 1848 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Dempsey died on September 17, 1874 in San Francisco, California, at the age of about 26. He is buried at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma, California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Kearsarge at Shanghai, China, 23 January 1875. Displaying gallant conduct, Dempsey jumped overboard from the Kearsarge and rescued from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1848Born in Ireland
- September 17, 1874Died in San Francisco, CaliforniaAge about 26.
- January 23, 1875Act of valor — Shanghai, ChinaAge about 27. U.S.S. Kearsarge
- Resting placeGreenlawn Memorial ParkColma, California
