Coxswain John Edward Murphy was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 3, 1898 at Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Merrimac assigned to the U.S.S. Iowa. Murphy was 29 years old.
7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Murphy was born on May 3, 1869 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Murphy died on April 9, 1941, at the age of 71. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.
Murphy 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
In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 3 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish shore batteries, Murphy displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- May 3, 1869Born in Ireland
- June 3, 1898Act of valor — Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance, CubaAge 29. U.S.S. Merrimac assigned to the U.S.S. Iowa
- April 9, 1941DiedAge 71.
- Resting placeFort Rosecrans National CemeterySan Diego, California
Biography
John Edward Murphy (May 3, 1869 – April 9, 1941) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Spanish–American War.
From the Wikipedia article “John E. Murphy”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
