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Oiler · U.S. Navy

Michael Gibbons

Oiler Michael Gibbons, 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, 1898Born in Ireland

Oiler Michael Gibbons 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. Gibbons was 31 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Fireman First Class.

Gibbons was born on November 15, 1866 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Gibbons died on February 27, 1933 in Rosow, County Mayo, Ireland, at the age of 66. He is buried at Old Kilmeena Cemetery in Kilmeena, Ireland. His medal is held by Irish Veterans Museum, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland.

Gibbons 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, Gibbons 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: County Mayo — map
  • Buried: Kilmeena — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. November 15, 1866
    Born in Ireland
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 31. U.S.S. Nashville
  3. February 27, 1933
    Died in Rosow, County Mayo, Ireland
    Age 66.
  4. Resting place
    Old Kilmeena Cemetery
    Kilmeena

Biography

Michael Gibbons (November 15, 1866 – February 27, 1933) was an oiler serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

From the Wikipedia article “Michael Gibbons (Medal of Honor)”, 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

Albert Leopold Mills Captain & Assistant Adjutant General · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 HP Herman Pfisterer Musician · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 Richmond Pearson Hobson Lieutenant · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WK William G. Keller Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 FF Frank Ottis Fournia Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 WM William Henry Morin Boatswain's Mate Second 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.