John Hayden (Medal of Honor)

Into a strong tide a teen sailor dived to save his shipmate.

John Hayden was a United States Navy apprentice aboard the training ship Saratoga when a morning in New York Harbor became a rescue emergency. On 15 July 1879, fellow apprentice Robert L. Robey fell overboard while the ship lay off the Battery. A strong ebb tide threatened to carry away the inexperienced swimmer.

Apprentice David M. Buchanan jumped in immediately. Hayden removed his clothes while watching the men, then dived when he judged that further help was required. He assisted them in the water until Saratoga's boat recovered all three. Both rescuers received the Medal of Honor.

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1863, Hayden was still a teenager at the time. He later attained gunner’s mate first class, as recorded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. He died on February 26, 1934, in California. He was buried in San Francisco National Cemetery.