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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Marine Corps

Joseph Francis Scott

Private Joseph Francis Scott, Marine Corps, 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

Private Joseph Francis Scott, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Nashville. Scott was 31 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 16, 1899 — presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard. He later rose to the rank of Corporal.

Scott was born on June 4, 1866 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Scott died on February 28, 1941 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the age of 74. He is buried at Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Scott 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, Scott displayed 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: Massachusetts — map
  • Buried: Cambridge Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →

Timeline

  1. June 4, 1866
    Born in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 31. U.S.S. Nashville
  3. August 16, 1899
    Medal of Honor presented
    Presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.
  4. February 28, 1941
    Died in Cambridge, Massachusetts
    Age 74.
  5. Resting place
    Cambridge Cemetery
    Cambridge, Massachusetts

Biography

Joseph Francis Scott (June 4, 1864 – February 28, 1941) was a private serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

From the Wikipedia article “Joseph Francis Scott”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

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

FK Francis Kelly Watertender · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 FM Frederick Muller Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GN George Henry Nee Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 George Charette Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898
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.