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Boatswain's Mate Second Class · U.S. Navy

John James Doran

Boatswain's Mate Second Class John James Doran, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Boatswain's Mate Second Class John James Doran was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who 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. Marblehead. Doran was 33 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Chief Master-At-Arms.

Doran was born on July 6, 1864 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Doran died on February 16, 1904 in Santiago, Cuba, at the age of 39. He is buried at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Doran is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Doran 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: Boston — map
  • Died: Fall River — map
  • Buried: Saint Patricks Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →

Timeline

  1. July 6, 1864
    Born in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 33. U.S.S. Marblehead
  3. February 16, 1904
    Died in Santiago, Cuba
    Age 39.
  4. Resting place
    St. Patrick's Cemetery
    Fall River, Massachusetts

Biography

John James Doran (July 6, 1864 – February 16, 1904) was a Boatswain's Mate, 2nd Class in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War.

From the Wikipedia article “John James Doran”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Named in his honor

Also honored for actions on May 11, 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

Same unit

More Spanish-American War recipients from Massachusetts

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.