Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Ordinary Seaman Robert Augustus Sweeney received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 26, 1881 in Hampton Roads, Virginia — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Kearsarge. Sweeney was 28 years old.
The medal was presented on November 1, 1881. Sweeney is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (December 20, 1883).
Sweeney was born on February 22, 1853 in Montserrat — one of 1 recipient born in Montserrat. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Jersey. Sweeney died on December 19, 1890, at the age of 37. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York. Records also list him as Sweeney, Albert A..
Official Medal of Honor citation
First Award: Serving on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge, at Hampton Roads, Va., 26 October 1881, Sweeney jumped overboard and assisted in saving from drowning a shipmate who had fallen overboard into a strongly running tide.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
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Timeline
- February 22, 1853Born in Montserrat
- October 26, 1881Act of valor — Hampton Roads, VirginiaAge 28. U.S.S. Kearsarge
- November 1, 1881Medal of Honor presented
- December 19, 1890DiedAge 37.
- Resting placeCalvary CemeteryWoodside, New York
Biography
Robert Augustus Sweeney (February 20, 1853 – December 19, 1890) was a sailor in the United States Navy and is one of only nineteen servicemen, and the only African American, to receive the Medal of Honor twice, both for peace-time actions.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert Augustus Sweeney”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
