Sunday, September 13, 2009

Monday, September 13, 1909. John King wins his second Medal of Honor.

Career U.S. Navy sailor John King won his second Medal of Honor.

The citation read:

Watertender, serving on board the U.S.S. Salem, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on the occasion of the accident to one of the boilers of that vessel, 13 September 1909.

The citation for his first one read:

On board the U.S.S. Vicksburg, for heroism in the line of his profession at the time of the accident to the boilers, 29 May 1901.

He was an Irish immigrant, retired in 1916, reentered the Navy during World War One, and retired again in 1919.  He died in 1938 at age 73.

A destroyer was named after him, and coincidentally I served in the National Guard with a fellow who had served on that ship.

Last edition:

Sunday, September 12, 1909. Zapata and El Roghi.

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