★

Loading archive…

★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

John McCarton — Victoria Cross

< Back to Heroes

Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Ship's Printer
Medals Recorded: 1

John McCarton

Ship's Printer, U.S. Navy

Support & adopt this hero ↓

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1862–1912 Navy

Ribbon Rack

Biography

He jumped overboard to try to save a drowning ship musician.

John McCarton was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1847. He served in the United States Navy as the ship's printer aboard the training ship New Hampshire.

On January 4, 1882, off Coasters Harbor Island near Newport, Rhode Island, he jumped overboard in an effort to save Jabez Smith, a second class musician, from drowning. His Medal of Honor recognized the rescue attempt. The citation does not establish its outcome.

McCarton died on December 22, 1887, in Newport and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn. His award preserves the record of his willingness to risk his life for a fellow sailor.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

For jumping overboard from the U.S. training ship New Hampshire off Coasters Harbor Island, near Newport, R.I., 4 January 1882, and endeavoring to rescue Jabez Smith, second class musician, from drowning.

Support & adopt

Become the named supporter for this profile and edit the tribute biography and portrait (Owner account required). Proceeds help keep the archive online.

$25 USD / year — annual sponsorship renewal. Keeps the page online and, where enabled, the family anniversary remembrance emails active.