Private John Harrington, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on September 12, 1874 at Washita River, Texas during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Harrington was about 26 years old.
5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 4, 1874. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Harrington was born in 1848 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. His Medal of Honor is credited to Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Harrington died on January 3, 1905 in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of about 57. He is buried at San Antonio National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Harrington is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
While carrying dispatches was attacked by 125 hostile Indians, whom he and his comrades fought throughout the day. He was severely wounded in the hip and unable to move. He continued to fight, defending an exposed dying man.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
He was severely wounded in the hip and unable to move.
- Age at death: about 57
- Resting place: San Antonio National Cemetery
Timeline
- 1848Born in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
- September 12, 1874Act of valor — Washita River, TexasAge about 26. Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry
- November 4, 1874Medal of Honor presented
- January 3, 1905Died in San Antonio, TexasAge about 57.
- Resting placeSan Antonio National CemeterySan Antonio, Texas
