Landsman John Enright was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 18, 1886 off Ensenada, Mexico — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Ranger. Enright was 21 years old.
Enright was born on July 2, 1864 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Enright died on December 24, 1889 in off the coast of Vallejo, California, at the age of 25. He is buried at Mare Island Cemetery in Vallejo, California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Ranger off Ensenada, Mexico, 18 January 1886. Jumping overboard from that vessel, Enright rescued John Bell, ordinary seaman, and George Svensson, ordinary seaman, from drowning.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
- Born: Lynn — map
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From the archives
John Enright had a history of heroic behavior. In addition to his Medal of Honor action in 1864, he was applauded for saving lives in other situations. In fact, Enright died trying to save a life in 1889. At the time, Enright was part of the crew of the US steamer Albatross. He and a few other men in a supply boat headed to shore at Vallejo, California. The small boat became tangled with the anchor chain of another vessel and overturned. One of those on board was a civilian newpaper seller who couldn't swim. Enright attempted to save the life of the newsboy but both of them drowned in the process. His remains were recovered nearly a month later. Enright's heroics were memorialized at his funeral at Mare Island Cemetery, in Vallejo, California, soon after.
Timeline
- July 2, 1864Born in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts
- January 18, 1886Act of valor — off Ensenada, MexicoAge 21. U.S.S. Ranger
- December 24, 1889Died in off the coast of Vallejo, CaliforniaAge 25.
- Resting placeMare Island CemeteryVallejo, California
Biography
John Enright (July 2, 1864 – February 19, 1898) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “John Enright”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
