John Davis (Medal of Honor, 1898)

Cutting cables under fire at Cienfuegos

John Davis was born in Germany on October 28, 1877. He served in the U.S. Navy as a gunner's mate third class aboard USS Marblehead during the Spanish-American War.

On May 11, 1898, at Cienfuegos, Cuba, Davis took part in the operation to cut the cable leading from the port. His Medal of Honor citation recognizes his extraordinary bravery and composure under heavy enemy fire throughout the action. It does not identify an individual rescue or specify his movements during the cable cutting.

Davis later reached the rank of captain, according to the official recipient record. He died in St. Petersburg, Florida, on June 9, 1970, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. His award commemorates a sailor's steady conduct during a dangerous operation close to enemy defenses.

Official Medal of Honor citation: On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Davis set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.