Captain of the Top Joseph Matthews was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 13, 1879 at sea, northeast Atlantic, west of the English Channel — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Constitution. Matthews was about 30 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 7, 1879.
Matthews was born in 1849 in Malta — one of 3 recipients born in Malta. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Matthews died on November 11, 1912 in Brunswick, Georgia, at the age of about 63. He is buried at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick, Georgia. Records also list him as Mathews, Joseph.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For courageous conduct in going over the stern of the U.S.S. Constitution at sea, 13 February 1879, during a heavy gale, and cutting the fastenings of the ship's rudder chains.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
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Timeline
- 1849Born in Malta
- February 13, 1879Act of valor — at sea, northeast Atlantic, west of the English ChannelAge about 30. U.S.S. Constitution
- September 7, 1879Medal of Honor presented
- November 11, 1912Died in Brunswick, GeorgiaAge about 63.
- Resting placePalmetto CemeteryBrunswick, Georgia
Biography
Joseph Matthews (c. 1849 - November 11, 1912) was a sailor in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
From the Wikipedia article “Joseph Matthews (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →