David Harrington (Medal of Honor)

David Harrington
Born (1856-04-04)April 4, 1856
Washington, D.C.
Died September 20, 1945(1945-09-20) (aged 89)
Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Fireman First Class
Unit USS Tallapoosa (1863)
Awards Medal of Honor

David Harrington (April 4, 1856 – September 20, 1945) was a fireman first class serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Biography

Harrington was born April 4, 1856 in Washington, D.C. and after joining the navy from was stationed aboard the USS Tallapoosa (1863) as a fireman first class. Just before midnight August 21, 1884 the USS Tallapoosa collided with the schooner James S. Lowell about five miles from Vineyard Haven, Rhode Island and started to sink. Harrington remained in the fireroom until the fires were put out by the rising waters and when the water was up to his waist he opened the safety valves. For his actions on that night he received the Medal October 18, 1884.[1][2]

He died September 20, 1945 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.[3] His grave can be found in section 17-23162-D.[3]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: First Class Fireman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1856, Washington, D.C. Accredited to: Washington, D.C. G.O. No.: 326, 18 October 1884.

Citation:

Served on board the U.S.S. Tallapoosa at the time of the sinking of that vessel, on the night of 21 August 1884. Remaining at his post of duty in the fireroom until the fires were put out by the rising waters, Harrington opened the safety valves when the water was up to his waist.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Interim Awards, 1871-1898; Harrington, David entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Tallapoosa". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval Historical Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Don Morfe (June 12, 2004). "David Harrington". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  • "David Harrington". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  • "USS Tallapoosa (1864-1892)". Online Image Library. Naval Historical Center. July 5, 2001. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  • "David Harrington, Fireman, United States Navy". Medal of Honor recipients buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery website. September 3, 2005. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
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