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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Marine Corps

Michael Kearney

Private Michael Kearney, 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, 1898Born in Ireland

Private Michael Kearney, 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. Kearney was 23 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 Captain.

Kearney was born on October 4, 1874 in Newmarket, County Cork, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Kearney died on October 31, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 63. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Kearney 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, Kearney 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: Ireland — map
  • Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →

Timeline

  1. October 4, 1874
    Born in Newmarket, County Cork, Ireland
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 23. 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. October 31, 1937
    Died in Brooklyn, New York
    Age 63.
  5. Resting place
    Holy Cross Cemetery
    Brooklyn, New York

Biography

Michael Kearney (October 4, 1874 – October 21, 1937) 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 “Michael Kearney (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 Massachusetts

GN George Henry Nee Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 FK Francis Kelly Watertender · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 FM Frederick Muller Mate · Navy 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.