Watertender John King, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on September 13, 1909 at sea, U.S.S. Salem — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1899 - 1910 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Salem. King was 44 years old.
The medal was presented on October 19, 1909 — at the White House, by Pres. William H. Taft. He later rose to the rank of Chief Watertender. King is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (May 29, 1901).
King was born on February 7, 1865 in County Mayo, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. King died on May 20, 1938, at the age of 73. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Second Award: Serving on board the U.S.S. Salem, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on the occasion of the accident to one of the boilers of that vessel, 13 September 1909.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Philippine–American War, World War I, Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- February 7, 1865Born in County Mayo, Ireland
- September 13, 1909Act of valor — at sea, U.S.S. SalemAge 44. U.S.S. Salem
- October 19, 1909Medal of Honor presentedAt the White House, by Pres. William H. Taft
- May 20, 1938DiedAge 73.
- Resting placeCalvary CemeteryHot Springs, Arkansas
Biography
John King (7 February 1862 – 20 May 1938) was an Irish sailor in the United States Navy and one of only 19 in history to receive the Medal of Honor twice. His tombstone shows DOB in 1862.
From the Wikipedia article “John King (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS John King — guided missile destroyer
