James F. Sullivan

Jumping overboard, he rescued a drowning boy from the water.

James F. Sullivan was born at Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1857. He also used the name Michael J. Garvey. He joined the United States Navy from Massachusetts and served as a boatswain's mate, an enlisted rating concerned with the practical operation and maintenance of a ship.

By April 1882 he was aboard the training ship New Hampshire at Newport, Rhode Island. The ship's training establishment included young sailors described in the contemporary record as boys. On 21 April, Third Class Boy Francis T. Price fell into danger in the water.

Sullivan jumped overboard to assist him. Chief Boatswain's Mate Jeremiah Troy also entered the water, and the two sailors rescued Price from drowning. Sullivan's Medal of Honor citation specifically records his decision to leave the ship and save the boy. The award recognised lifesaving rather than an engagement against an armed enemy.

Both Sullivan and Troy received the Medal of Honor for their parts in the rescue. Sullivan's award was issued on 18 October 1884. He lived for more than three decades after the event and died at Lowell on 17 March 1917. A grave marker under the Garvey name commemorates his naval service and Medal of Honor.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For jumping overboard from the U.S. training ship New Hampshire, at Newport, R.I., 21 April 1882, and rescuing from drowning Francis T. Price, third class boy.