Henry C. Courtney

He jumped into the water to help rescue a drowning shipmate.

Henry C. Courtney was born in Springfield, Illinois, in 1856. He served as a seaman in the United States Navy aboard the training ship Portsmouth.

On February 7, 1882, at the Washington Navy Yard, Charles Taliaferro was in danger of drowning. Courtney jumped overboard from Portsmouth and assisted in rescuing him. His Medal of Honor citation recognized the lifesaving action.

Courtney received the Medal of Honor for his courage in naval service. He died on April 9, 1887, in Brooklyn, New York, and is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery. His award commemorates a seaman's willingness to enter the water to help a fellow sailor.

Medal of Honor Citation

On board the U.S. training ship Portsmouth, Washington Navy Yard, 7 February 1882. Jumping overboard from that vessel, Courtney assisted in rescuing Charles Taliaferro, jack-of-the-dust, from drowning.