John E. Murphy
Encyclopedia
John Edward Murphy was a United States Navy
sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in the Spanish-American War
.
and served in the battleship
as a coxswain during the Spanish-American War. Coxswain Murphy was one of eight volunteer crew members of the collier
, which Rear Admiral William T. Sampson
ordered sunk to block the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba
. On the night of June 2/3, 1898, during the attempt to execute this mission, Merrimacs steering gear was disabled by enemy gunfire, and she sank without obstructing navigation. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war
. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, Murphy and his shipmates were released. For their part in this operation, all eight men were awarded Medals of Honor.
On June 15, 1898, while he was still in Spanish custody, Murphy was promoted to the warrant officer
rank of Boatswain
. In October 1898, Murphy was assigned to the battleship , which soon went to the Asiatic Station. He reported for training duty on board in September 1901 and several months later began similar service in . In the Summer of 1903 he was assigned to the armored cruiser
in the Pacific Squadron
. Murphy was promoted to Chief Boatswain on June 15, 1904. For his last tour, he served in , also in the Pacific, and was placed on the retired list on August 1, 1905.
Chief Boatswain John Edward Murphy died at age 71 and was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
, San Diego, California
. His grave can be found in the officer's section, grave 363 GPS (lat/lon): 32.41418, -117.14673.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
.
Biography
Murphy enlisted in the U.S. Navy from New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and served in the battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
as a coxswain during the Spanish-American War. Coxswain Murphy was one of eight volunteer crew members of the collier
Collier (ship type)
Collier is a historical term used to describe a bulk cargo ship designed to carry coal, especially for naval use by coal-fired warships. In the late 18th century a number of wooden-hulled sailing colliers gained fame after being adapted for use in voyages of exploration in the South Pacific, for...
, which Rear Admiral William T. Sampson
William T. Sampson
William Thomas Sampson was a United States Navy rear admiral known for his victory in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War.-Biography:...
ordered sunk to block the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. On the night of June 2/3, 1898, during the attempt to execute this mission, Merrimacs steering gear was disabled by enemy gunfire, and she sank without obstructing navigation. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
Battle of Santiago de Cuba
The Battle of Santiago de Cuba, fought between Spain and the United States on 3 July 1898, was the largest naval engagement of the Spanish-American War and resulted in the destruction of the Spanish Navy's Caribbean Squadron.-Spanish Fleet:...
destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, Murphy and his shipmates were released. For their part in this operation, all eight men were awarded Medals of Honor.
On June 15, 1898, while he was still in Spanish custody, Murphy was promoted to the warrant officer
Warrant Officer (United States)
In the United States military, the rank of warrant officer is rated as an officer above the senior-most enlisted ranks, as well as officer cadets and candidates, but below the officer grade of O-1...
rank of Boatswain
Boatswain
A boatswain , bo's'n, bos'n, or bosun is an unlicensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The boatswain supervises the other unlicensed members of the ship's deck department, and typically is not a watchstander, except on vessels with small crews...
. In October 1898, Murphy was assigned to the battleship , which soon went to the Asiatic Station. He reported for training duty on board in September 1901 and several months later began similar service in . In the Summer of 1903 he was assigned to the armored cruiser
Armored cruiser
The armored cruiser was a type of warship of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Like other types of cruiser, the armored cruiser was a long-range, independent warship, capable of defeating any ship apart from a battleship, and fast enough to outrun any battleships it encountered.The first...
in the Pacific Squadron
Pacific Squadron
The Pacific Squadron was part of the United States Navy squadron stationed in the Pacific Ocean in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Initially with no United States ports in the Pacific, they operated out of storeships which provided naval supplies and purchased food and obtained water from local...
. Murphy was promoted to Chief Boatswain on June 15, 1904. For his last tour, he served in , also in the Pacific, and was placed on the retired list on August 1, 1905.
Chief Boatswain John Edward Murphy died at age 71 and was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is situated in the city of San Diego, California, on the Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation. The cemetery is located approximately 10 miles west of downtown San Diego, overlooking the bay and the city...
, San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. His grave can be found in the officer's section, grave 363 GPS (lat/lon): 32.41418, -117.14673.
Medal of Honor citation
Coxswain Murphy's official Medal of Honor citation reads:In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de CubaSantiago de CubaSantiago de Cuba is the second largest city of Cuba and capital city of Santiago de Cuba Province in the south-eastern area of the island, some south-east of the Cuban capital of Havana....
, 2 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish shore batteriesArtillery batteryIn military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
, Murphy displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish–American War