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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Marine Corps

Joseph John Franklin

Private Joseph John Franklin, 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 John Franklin was a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps 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. Franklin was 27 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 Marine Gunner.

Franklin was born on June 18, 1870 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Franklin died on April 28, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 69. He is buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. His medal is held by National Museum of the US Marine Corps, Quantico, VA.

Franklin is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 678 credited to New York.

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, Franklin set an example of 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: Buffalo — map
  • Died: New York City — map
  • Buried: Cypress Hills Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. June 18, 1870
    Born in Buffalo, Erie County, New York
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 27. 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. April 28, 1940
    Died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Age 69.
  5. Resting place
    Cypress Hills Cemetery
    Brooklyn, New York

Biography

Joseph John Franklin (June 18, 1870 – April 28, 1940) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor during the Spanish–American War.

From the Wikipedia article “Joseph John Franklin”, 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 New York

WK William G. Keller Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 WM William Henry Morin Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WS William Spicer Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Fitzgerald Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 TK Thomas Kelly Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 JM John Edward Murphy Coxswain · 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.