Captain of the Hold John Robinson was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 19, 1867 at Pensacola Bay, Florida — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1865 - 1870 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Yucca. Robinson was about 27 years old.
Robinson was born in 1840 in Chile — one of 2 recipients born in Chile. His Medal of Honor is credited to Maine. Robinson died on April 22, 1900 in Boston, Massachusetts, US, at the age of about 60. He is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With Acting Ens. James H. Bunting, during the heavy gale which occurred in Pensacola Bay on the night of 19 January 1867, Robinson swam ashore with a line for the purpose of sending off a blowcock, which would facilitate getting up steam and prevent the vessel from stranding, thus voluntarily periling his life to save the vessel and the lives of others.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Timeline
- 1840Born in Chile
- January 19, 1867Act of valor — Pensacola Bay, FloridaAge about 27. U.S.S. Yucca
- April 22, 1900Died in Boston, Massachusetts, USAge about 60.
- Resting placeMount Hope CemeteryBoston, Massachusetts
Biography
John Robinson (born c. 1840, date of death unknown) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. A native of Cuba, Robinson joined the Navy from the U.S. state of Maine. By January 19, 1867, he was serving as captain of the hold on the USS Yucca. On that day, he and another man, Acting Ensign James H. Bunting, swam ashore during a storm in Pensacola Bay to aid their ship. For this action, Robinson was awarded the Medal of Honor a month later, on February 23. Robinson's official Medal of Honor citation reads: With Acting Ensign James H.
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