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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Seaman · U.S. Navy

John Eglit

Seaman John Eglit, 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 Finland

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Seaman John Eglit 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. Nashville. Eglit was 23 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 16, 1899 — presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.

Eglit was born on October 17, 1874 in Finland — one of 6 recipients born in Finland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Eglit died on January 31, 1914 in Northeastern Coast, USA, Atlantic Ocean, at the age of 39. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Eglit 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. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Eglit set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

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

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. October 17, 1874
    Born in Finland
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 23. U.S.S. Nashville
  3. August 16, 1899
    Medal of Honor presented
    Presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.
  4. January 31, 1914
    Died in Northeastern Coast, USA, Atlantic Ocean
    Age 39.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

John Eglit (October 17, 1874 – January 31, 1914) was a seaman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery. He continued to serve in the navy until being lost at sea while aboard the steamer Monroe off the shores of Virginia in 1914. His cenotaph is located at Arlington National Cemetery.

From the Wikipedia article “John Eglit”, 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 John Davis Gunner's Mate Third Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

More Spanish-American War recipients from New York

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 WK William G. Keller Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 WS William Spicer Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Fitzgerald Private · Marine Corps 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.