John Handran

He dived into Lisbon harbour and rescued a drowning shipmate

John Handran was born in Massachusetts in 1852. He served in the U.S. Navy as a seaman aboard USS Franklin.

On January 9, 1876, while Franklin was at Lisbon, Portugal, Handran jumped overboard and rescued a member of the crew from drowning. His Medal of Honor citation recognizes that lifesaving act without naming the sailor or describing how the emergency began.

The award was accredited to Massachusetts and was not posthumous. Handran died at sea in the Atlantic Ocean in December 1885. The official recipient record lists his burial at sea but does not provide details of his death or later service. His award preserves recognition of a sailor's immediate action to save another member of his ship's company.

Official Medal of Honor citation: For gallant conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. Franklin at Lisbon, Portugal, 9 January 1876. Jumping overboard, Handran rescued from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.