David Harrington (Medal of Honor)

He stayed at his post as seawater rose through the fireroom.

David Harrington earned the Medal of Honor for remaining in the fireroom of USS Tallapoosa as the vessel sank on the night of 21 August 1884. A fireman first class in the United States Navy, he continued his duties while floodwater rose around him.

Harrington was born in Washington, D.C., on 4 April 1856. His award was accredited to the same city. His recognized service took place at Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, during a peacetime naval emergency.

The official citation describes Harrington remaining at his station until the rising water extinguished the fires. With water reaching his waist, he opened the safety valves. It records his conduct within the flooded machinery space without supplying a fuller account of his evacuation or the sinking's aftermath.

Harrington survived the incident and died on 20 September 1945. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His Medal of Honor recognizes courage in a shipboard disaster, illustrating that the decoration also commemorates acts performed outside battle.

Medal of Honor 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.