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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Marine Corps

Philip Gaughan

Sergeant Philip Gaughan, 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

Sergeant Philip Gaughan, 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. Gaughan was 33 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 First Sergeant.

Gaughan was born on March 17, 1865 in Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Gaughan died on December 31, 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 48. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.

Gaughan is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.

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, Gaughan 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: Béal an Mhuirthead — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →

Timeline

  1. March 17, 1865
    Born in Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 33. 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. December 31, 1913
    Died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Age 48.
  5. Resting place
    Holy Cross Cemetery
    Yeadon, Pennsylvania

Biography

Philip Gaughan (March 17, 1865 – December 31, 1913) was a sergeant (Originally an infantry worker) serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

From the Wikipedia article “Philip Gaughan”, 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 Pennsylvania

JD John Francis Deswan Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 AQ Alexander M. Quinn Sergeant · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 GM George Mahoney Fireman First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 NR Norman W. Ressler Corporal · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 AS Axel Leohard Sundquist Chief Carpenter's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WC William Adolphus Crouse Watertender · 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.