Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Chief Machinist Thomas C. Cooney received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1898 in Cardenas, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S. Torpedo Boat Winslow. Cooney was 44 years old.
54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Chief Carpenter.
Cooney was born on July 18, 1853 in Westport, Canada — one of 60 recipients born in Canada. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Jersey. Cooney died on January 8, 1907 in Norfolk, Virginia, at the age of 53. He is buried at U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.
Cooney is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S. torpedo boat Winslow during the actions at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Following the piercing of the boiler by an enemy shell, Cooney, by his gallantry and promptness in extinguishing the resulting flames, saved the boiler tubes from burning out.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New Jersey →
From the archives
Medal of Honor Recipient Thomas C. Cooney died at Naval Hospital at Norfolk, VA, having been sent there from his duty station, the USS Florida.
Timeline
- July 18, 1853Born in Westport, Canada
- May 11, 1898Act of valor — Cardenas, CubaAge 44. U.S. Torpedo Boat Winslow
- January 8, 1907Died in Norfolk, VirginiaAge 53.
- Resting placeU.S. Naval Academy CemeteryAnnapolis, Maryland
Biography
Thomas Calvin Cooney (July 18, 1853- January 8, 1907) was an American sailor serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War, who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
From the Wikipedia article “Thomas C. Cooney”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
