John Maxwell (Medal of Honor)

John Maxwell (June 21, 1874 – November 13, 1931) was a fireman second class serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

John Maxwell
Born(1874-06-21)June 21, 1874
Lanarkshire, Scotland
DiedNovember 13, 1931(1931-11-13) (aged 57)
Westbury, Long Island
Place of burial
Westbury Friends Cemetery Westbury, New York
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
RankFireman Second Class
UnitU.S.S. Marblehead
Battles / warsSpanish–American War
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

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Maxwell was born June 21, 1874, in Scotland, and, after entering the navy was sent as a fireman second class to fight in the Spanish–American War aboard the U.S.S. Marblehead.[1]

He died November 13, 1931, and is buried in Westbury Friends Cemetery Westbury, New York.[2]

Medal of Honor citation

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Rank and organization: Fireman Second Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 21 June 1874, Lanarkshire, Scotland, U.K. G.O. No.: 521, 7 July 1899.

Citation:

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Maxwell displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.[1]

Maxwell later was chauffeur to John Jacob Astor, a job he received through his good friend, Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt finally received HIS citation in 2006 for his actions at Santiago, more commonly referred to as "San Juan Hill".

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "War with Spain; Maxwell, John entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010. BIRTHDATE IS WRONG - that's his Father's. ... (His Great-Grandson)
  2. ^ vconline.org.uk
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