John MacKenzie (Medal of Honor)

He held a loose depth charge steady and saved his whole ship

John MacKenzie was born on July 7, 1886, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He served as a chief boatswain's mate aboard USS Remlik during World War I.

On December 17, 1917, off the French coast, the ship encountered a heavy gale. A depth-charge box was swept overboard, leaving its explosive charge loose on the deck. Moving it safely was impossible until the ship could turn into the seas.

MacKenzie went aft on his own initiative and sat on the charge to hold it in place. By exposing himself to the danger, he prevented a serious accident that threatened the ship and its entire crew. The Medal of Honor recognized his extraordinary heroism.

He died on December 26, 1933, and is buried at Forest Dale Cemetery in Holyoke, Massachusetts. His award commemorates decisive action to protect his shipmates in a dangerous emergency at sea.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

For extraordinary heroism while serving on board the U.S.S. Remlik, on the morning of 17 December 1917, when the Remlik encountered a heavy gale. During this gale, there was a heavy sea running. The depth charge box on the taffrail aft, containing a Sperry depth charge, was washed overboard, the depth charge itself falling inboard and remaining on deck.

MacKenzie, on his own initiative, went aft and sat down on the depth charge, as it was impracticable to carry it to safety until the ship was headed up into the sea. In acting as he did, MacKenzie exposed his life and prevented a serious accident to the ship and probable loss of the ship and the entire crew.