John Eglit (October 17, 1874 – January 31, 1914) was a seaman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.[1]
John Eglit | |
---|---|
Born | Finland | October 17, 1874
Died | January 31, 1914 lost at sea near Virginia | (aged 39)
Cenotaph | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service | United States Navy |
Rank | Chief Master At Arms |
Unit | U.S.S. Nashville |
Battles / wars | Spanish–American War |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
He continued to serve in the navy until being lost at sea while aboard the steamer Monroe off the shores of Virginia in 1914. His cenotaph is located at Arlington National Cemetery.
Biography
editEglit was born October 17, 1874, in Finland and after entering the navy he was sent to fight in the Spanish–American War aboard the U.S.S. Nashville.[2]
He continued to serve in the navy after the war and went on achieve the rank of Chief Master At Arms. On January 31, 1914, he was a passenger aboard the Old dominion steamer Monroe when it sank off Virginia's eastern shore. He was declared lost at sea, but was given a cenotaph at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.[3]
Medal of Honor citation
editRank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 17 October 1874, Finland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 521, 7 July 1899.
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, Eglit set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Badge of Heroism". Muncie Evening Press. Muncie, IN. September 12, 1899. p. 5. Retrieved August 19, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Eglit, John". Medal of Honor recipients, War With Spain. United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ "Burial Detail: Eglit, John (Section MI, Grave 306-A)". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
External links
edit- "Brave sailors get medals: An impressive ceremony took place on the gunoat Nashville at Boston yesterday" (PDF). The New York Times. August 17, 1899. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
- The Monroe Disaster. 1914. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- New International yearbook. 1915. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- "John Eglit". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved July 4, 2010.