Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Coxswain John McCloy received the Medal of Honor for his actions between June 20 and 22, 1900 in Wu-Tsing-Hune and near Peh-Tsang, China during the Boxer Rebellion. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Newark. McCloy was 24 years old.
27 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. McCloy is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (April 22, 1914).
McCloy was born on January 3, 1876 in Brewster, Putnam County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. McCloy died on May 25, 1945, at the age of 69. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by St. John's Roman Catholic Church (Medals for both actions), Leonia, NJ.
McCloy is one of 59 Medal of Honor recipients from the Boxer Rebellion and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
First Award: In action with the relief expedition of the Allied forces in China, 13, 20, 21 and 22 June 1900. During this period and in the presence of the enemy, Coxswain McCloy distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
How he died
- Manner of death: natural causes
- Cause of death: myocardial infarction
- Age at death: 69
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, John McCloy received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Boxer Rebellion.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- January 3, 1876Born in Brewster, Putnam County, New York
- June 20 - 22, 1900Act of valor — Wu-Tsing-Hune and near Peh-Tsang, ChinaAge 24. U.S.S. Newark
- May 25, 1945DiedAge 69.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Lieutenant Commander John McCloy, USN (January 3, 1876 – May 24, 1945) was an officer in the United States Navy who was one of only 19 individuals to receive the Medal of Honor twice. He received his first Medal of Honor for action in the Boxer Rebellion in June 1900. His second Medal of Honor came in 1915 for action in Vera Cruz, Mexico, in April 1914.
From the Wikipedia article “John McCloy (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
