John Maxwell (Medal of Honor)

Cutting the Cienfuegos cable under enemy fire

John Maxwell was born on June 26, 1874, in Brooklyn, New York. He served in the United States Navy as a fireman second class aboard USS Marblehead during the Spanish-American War.

On May 11, 1898, at Cienfuegos, Cuba, he took part in the operation to cut the cable leading from the port. Facing heavy enemy fire, he maintained the bravery and composure recognized in his Medal of Honor citation.

Maxwell later held the rating of oiler. He died on November 13, 1931, in Westbury, New York, and is buried at Friends Cemetery there. His Medal of Honor commemorates his courage during the cable-cutting operation.

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, Maxwell displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.