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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Landsman · U.S. Navy

John Phillip Rilley

Landsman John Phillip Rilley, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War May 11, 1898

Landsman John Phillip Rilley 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. Nashville. Rilley was 21 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Rilley was born on January 22, 1877 in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Rilley died on November 16, 1950, at the age of 73. He is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts.

Rilley 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. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Rilley displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. January 22, 1877
    Born in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 21. U.S.S. Nashville
  3. November 16, 1950
    Died
    Age 73.
  4. Resting place
    Greenlawn Cemetery
    Salem, Massachusetts

Also honored for actions on May 11, 1898

Benjamin F. Baker Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DB David Duffy Barrow Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AB Albert Beyer Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 RB Robert Blume Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George F. Brady Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Washington Bright Coal Passer · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DC Daniel J. Campbell Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 JC Joseph Edward Carter Blacksmith · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 LC Leonard B. Chadwick Apprentice First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 TC Thomas C. Cooney Chief Machinist · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Davis Gunner's Mate Third Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

More Spanish-American War recipients from Massachusetts

FM Frederick Muller Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 George Charette Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GN George Henry Nee Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 FK Francis Kelly Watertender · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.