John Dempsey (Medal of Honor)

He jumped overboard to save a shipmate at Shanghai, in China

John Dempsey was a seaman aboard USS Kearsarge. His Medal of Honor citation recognizes his rescue of a shipmate from drowning at Shanghai, China, on January 23, 1875. He jumped overboard from the vessel and brought the endangered sailor to safety.

Born in Ireland in 1848, Dempsey was accredited to Boston, Massachusetts. His decoration commemorates gallant conduct during peacetime naval service.

Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Kearsarge at Shanghai, China, 23 January 1875. Displaying gallant conduct, Dempsey jumped overboard from the Kearsarge and rescued from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.