Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Boatswain's Mate Patrick Mullen received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 1, 1865 off the coast of Virginia, Virginia — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1865 - 1870 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Don. Mullen was 20 years old.
Mullen is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (March 17, 1865).
Mullen was born on May 6, 1844 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. Mullen died on February 14, 1897, at the age of 52. He is buried at New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. His medal is held by American Numismatic Society, New York, NY. Records also list him as Mullin, Patrick.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Second Award: Served as boatswain's mate on board the U.S.S. Don, 1 May 1865. Engaged in picking up the crew of Picket Launch No. 6, which had swamped. Mullen, seeing an officer who at that time was no longer able to keep up and was below the surface of the water, jumped overboard and brought the officer to the boat, thereby rescuing him from drowning, which brave action entitled him to wear a bar on the medal he had already received at Mattox Creek, 17 March 1865.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Maryland →
Timeline
- May 6, 1844Born in Ireland
- May 1, 1865Act of valor — off the coast of Virginia, VirginiaAge 20. U.S.S. Don
- February 14, 1897DiedAge 52.
- Resting placeNew Cathedral CemeteryBaltimore, Maryland
Biography
Patrick Mullen (born Patrick Mullin; May 6, 1844 – February 14, 1897) is one of only 19 servicemen to twice receive the Medal of Honor. He was a member of the United States Navy.
From the Wikipedia article “Patrick Mullen (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →