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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Lieutenant Commander · U.S. Navy

Rufus Zenas Johnston Jr.

Lieutenant Commander Rufus Zenas Johnston Jr., Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 22, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) April 22, 1914

Lieutenant Commander Rufus Zenas Johnston Jr. was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 22, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. Johnston was 39 years old.

13 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Rear Admiral.

Johnston was born on June 7, 1874 in Lincolnton, Lincoln County, North Carolina. His Medal of Honor is credited to North Carolina. Johnston died on July 4, 1959 in Newport, Rhode Island, at the age of 85. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC.

Johnston is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 22 credited to North Carolina.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914; was regimental adjutant, and eminent and conspicuous in his conduct. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

1914 · Veracruz 1914

Battle of Veracruz

Result: American victory; Veracruz occupied by the United States; Military Government of Veracruz established;...

19 Medal of Honor recipients

Also served in: Philippine–American War, Boxer Rebellion, World War I, Spanish–American War.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Lincolnton — map
  • Died: Newport — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in North Carolina →

Timeline

  1. June 7, 1874
    Born in Lincolnton, Lincoln County, North Carolina
  2. April 22, 1914
    Act of valor — Vera Cruz, Mexico
    Age 39.
  3. July 4, 1959
    Died in Newport, Rhode Island
    Age 85.
  4. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

Rufus Zenas Johnston (June 7, 1874 – July 4, 1959) was born in Lincolnton, North Carolina. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1895. He received the Medal of Honor for actions at the United States occupation of Veracruz in 1914. Johnston is also a recipient of the Navy Cross and served in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba, Philippine–American War, Boxer Rebellion and World War I.

From the Wikipedia article “Rufus Zenas Johnston”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on April 22, 1914

Edwin Alexander Anderson Captain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Smedley Darlington Butler Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Albertus Wright Catlin Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Hugh Carroll Frazer Ensign · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 JG John Grady Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Charles Conway Hartigan Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Jonas Howard Ingram Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Cary Devall Langhorne Surgeon · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 James Patrick Lannon Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 JM John McCloy Chief Boatswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Frederick Vallette McNair Jr. Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 AS Adolphus Staton Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914

See all 14 recipients for April 22, 1914 →

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.